New Zealand scrape one wicket victory against Australia

New Zealand were able to sneak a one wicket victory against co-hosts Australia despite a dramatic collapse while chasing 151 runs, with Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum scoring valuable runs for their team at home.

New Zealand started out well with a forty-run opening partnership, with captain Brendon McCullum doing the bulk of the scoring. He went on to score a decisive half-century from just 24 balls. McCullum miscued a ball from Pat Cummins and was caught at mid-off, with the Kiwis sitting strong at 78-2 from just 7.4 of the allotted fifty overs.

The Australian bowling attack, which has been described by many as the strongest in the tournament, did not allow for an easy chase. Mitchell Starc was the star bowler, picking up six wickets in what is up to now the best bowling spell of the tournament.

The Black Caps were sitting strong at 139-6 needing just 13 runs to seal a memorable victory, when Starc picked up three quick wickets in a hostile, fast-bowling spell. He hit the stumps in four of his six dismissals as the Australians snuck themselves back into the game.

Kane Williamson continued his remarkable form and showed the world yet again that he is among the best batsmen in pressure situations. He attacked the loose balls and scrapped through partnerships with all seven of the batsmen who followed him in the lineup. He sealed the game with a boundary, bringing his score to 45 from 42 balls.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand's opening pair put on an incredible display of bowling on a sporting wicket. Tim Southee picked up both of Australia's openers but went for 65 in nine overs. Experienced former captain Daniel Vettori picked up 2 wickets in an economical ten over spell. Trent Boult picked up five wickets in a spell that would later win him the man of the match award. Boult, who is one of New Zealand's star bowlers this tournament, gave away just 27 runs in ten overs of hostile seam bowling.

The Australian batsmen struggled to get going on a pitch that was offering the Kiwi bowlers some assistance. Opener David Warner looked promising but was out leg before wicket from a full swinging ball from Southee. Only Brad Haddin was able to put up some resistance, scoring 43 before he became the last of the ten Australian wickets to fall in just the 33rd over.