Australia beat NZ in high-scoring World Cup thriller

Australia overcame a spirited New Zealand to extend their World Cup winning streak to four games in a high-scoring thriller in Dharamsala.

The Black Caps needed 19 to win from the final over and six from the last ball for a World Cup record chase of 389.

But James Neesham was agonisingly run out for 58 off the penultimate ball to end their hopes.

They finished five runs short on 383-9, led by Rachin Ravindra's flawless 116.

The combined tally of 771 runs made it the highest-scoring World Cup game of all time.

Earlier, Travis Head's brutal 109 from 67 balls, in an opening stand of 175 in 19.1 overs with David Warner, helped Australia to their imposing total of 388.

An uncharacteristic sloppy performance in the field saw New Zealand spill four catches, including Head on 70 and 75, amid a chaotic opening bowling display.

The usually consistent seamers Matt Henry and Trent Boult struggled in the face of Warner and Head's aggressive start, with the pair smashing 118-0 in the 10-over powerplay - an Australian ODI record.

Part-time spinner Glenn Phillips' 3-37 were the only respectable figures in Australia's imposing total, which included 20 sixes.

Australia have recovered from two successive defeats to start the tournament and are well-placed for a semi-final spot, while New Zealand's hopes are not too severely dented after their strong start of four wins in the tournament.

Classy Ravindra leads brave New Zealand effort

After such a brutal onslaught from Australia's batters, New Zealand left the field looking understandably overwhelmed: some drooping shoulders, wry smiles and tired legs.

But they are a side renowned for their grit and determination and in Ravindra, that is personified.

An opening stand of 61 between Devon Conway and Will Young gave him a platform, and he started cautiously in a stand of 96 with Daryl Mitchell, who made 54.

Mitchell's departure handed him the reins and he scored freely, targeting straight down the ground, ensuring the daunting run-rate never got too far out of reach.

They matched Australia at the 40-over mark, reaching 292-5, but Ravindra fell two balls later to leave their hopes dwindling.

But Neesham, who famously batted in New Zealand's fateful super over in the 2019 World Cup final, kept accelerating with three fours and three sixes in his knock before Mitchell Starc aided their cause with five wides in the final over.

Marnus Labuschagne earlier stood on the boundary sponge to hand Trent Boult a six - another parallel between that 2019 epic - but fought back to run out a sprawling Neesham and spark joyous Australia celebrations.

Source: BBC