Published: Sep 16, 2015, 12:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 16, 2015, 12:00 AM (IST)
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Group A fixture between New Zealand and Australia at the Eden Park in Auckland witnessed what can safely be described as Mitchell Starc’s greatest spell. The lanky left-arm pacer recorded figures of 6 for 28, which nearly won the match for the Australians. Chasing a modest 152 to win the match, which was also chosen to be the only match of the 2015 edition of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, New Zealand were once again guided to a blazing start thanks to some fireworks by skipper Brendon McCullum, who hammered a 24-ball 50 that included seven boundaries and three sixes. Starc dismissed Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott, with the scorecard reading 79 for 4.
At 139 for 5, the match was all but over for the visitors, before another deadly spell of pure pace saw the Black Caps lose four wickets for just seven runs. Starc bowled Adam Milne and Tim Southee with two beautiful and perfect yorkers, with the second one angling into the stumps. At 146 for 9, Australia were suddenly the favourites to win the contest. Kane Williamson however, had different plans as he hit the winning six off Pat Cummins over long-on to seal a historic one-wicket victory.
Earlier in the match, Trent Boult bowled an equally deadly spell to win the ‘Man of the Match’ award, recording figures of 5 for 27 as Australia collapsed from 80 for 2 to 106 for 9. A 45-run partnership between Brad Haddin and Cummins added some respect to the forgettable performance by the eventual World Champions, who would defeat the same opponents by seven wickets in the final to lift the trophy for the fifth time.
