ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Australia v New Zealand - Player Ratings

Aaron Finch – 1/10Aaron Finch, who had scored 135 in the previous game against England, made 14 runs off 7 balls, including a 4 and a 6, before getting his off-stump bowled over by Tim Southee.

David Warner – 5/10After the fall of Finch, Warner tried to steady the innings along with Shane Watson. He looked in good nick en route to his 32 off 42 balls, but couldn’t carry it on as he was trapped LBW by Southee in the 14th over of the innings.

Tim Southee was erratic but still struck vital breakthroughs

Shane Watson – 1/10Coming off a string of poor performances, Watson was under immense pressure to perform. He combined with Warner after Finch was dismissed early and put on a 50-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. However, he wasn’t fluent at the crease and eventually fell while trying to go for a pull, hitting the ball to the fielder at wid-wicket.

Michael Clarke – 1/10Clarke, returning after a back surgery that had threatened to end his playing career, looked edgy during his short stay at the crease especially against Vettori before falling for 12 off 18 to Boult.

Steve Smith – 1/10Smith, touted as one of the players to watch out for in the World Cup, failed for the second consecutive time without troubling the scorers much.

Glenn Maxwell – 1/10.

Maxwell came out to bat with the scoreboard reading 95/4 in 16.3 overs. He didn't last long, though, becoming Boult’s second victim, chopping a length delivery onto the stumps.

Mitchell Marsh – 1/10The Man of the Match in Australia’s first game of the World Cup, Mitchell Marsh was out for nought dragging one from Mitchell Starc onto the stumps.

Brad Haddin – 6/10The top scorer for the Aussies, Brad Haddin came out to bat with the scoreboard reading 97/6 and played a crucial knock of 43 off 41 balls - which was the main reason the Aussies were able to reach 151.

Mitchell Starc is turning out to be one hell of a bowler

Mitchell Starc – 10/10What a fast bowler he is turning out to be! The lone standout performer for Australia, he swung the ball consistently at higher speeds, was on a hat-trick on two occasions and finished with his career-best figures: 6/28. Unfortunately, his efforts went in vain.

Pat Cummins – 6/10Replacing Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins gave away 38 runs in 6 overs, picking up the wickets of Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori. His pace and extra bounce seemed to trouble batsmen and was the only bowler who provided some support to Starc.

Mitchell Johnson – 1/10Fair to say, Mitchell Johnson had a day to forget. He went for 68 in 6 overs (his worst economy in ODIs) and was guilty of releasing the pressure built up by Starc and Cummins.