Last Updated on 12 months by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: AUS vs NZ Twitter Reactions: Australia hold off Ravindra, Neesham to seal thrilling win | Reactions to Australia vs New Zealand classic at Dharamsala
Remember all the talk about the absence of close matches in this World Cup? Well, like London buses, two have come around in very quick succession.
Following on from the Pakistan-South Africa thriller, Australia and New Zealand delivered their own. And what a memorable game it was. From the blistering and scarcely believable start from Australia’s openers to Rachin Ravindra further enhancing his status as one of the game’s best young players, this Trans-Tasman clash just about had it all.
New Zealand kept pace right throughout an incredible chase, taking the game to the very last ball. Their play in the middle overs, courtesy of Ravindra in particular, outshone Australia’s, whose identity between overs 10 and 40 is still unknown. Mitchell Marsh believed it was the best time to prepare for the upcoming Pakistan Test series, leaving more for Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and crucially, Glenn Maxwell, to do.
388 looked like plenty, but we live in a cricket world where such a total is not safe. Especially on a belter of a batting surface at Dharamsala. Mitchell Starc, another concern for Australia, looked off colour, but Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa all enjoyed enough good moments to ensure Starc had enough to defend, which he just managed to in one of the all-time finishes.
Ravindra, who became just the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to hit two ODI World Cup hundreds before turning 24, set things up for New Zealand with a superb 89-ball 116. Jimmy Neesham was the man to take the Black Caps home, but despite his own fine half-century, he fell agonisingly short. Credit should go to Pat Cummins who batted and bowled beautifully in the final ten overs, coupled with razor-like precision with his field placements under pressure.
AUS vs NZ Reactions: Travis Head stars as Australia hold off spirited New Zealand by just 5 runs
In the end, the day belonged to Travis Head who won man of the match for his breathtaking 109 off 67 balls. Coming back from a fractured hand injury, Head didn’t miss a beat, taking to the strong New Zealand attack as if they were park cricketers.
Here are some of the reactions to what was a thrilling encounter.
