ICC World Cup 2019 Match 37 Played at Lords on 29 June

Australia vs New Zealand 

Australia 243/9 (UT Khawaja 88, AT Carey 71, PJ Cummins 23, MP Stoinis 21, TA Boult 4/51, LH Ferguson 2/49) beat New Zealand 157 All Out (KS Williamson 40, LPRL Taylor 30, MJ Guptil 20, MA Starc 5/26, Behrendorff 2/31 ) by 86 runs.

Player of the Match: Alex Carey 

DHAKA: Reigning Champion Australia’s HEXA mission in World Cup 2019 has changed gears as it plummeted now sinking Tasman Neighbor New Zealand by 86 runs in an one sided encounter at Lords yesterday. We thought did bowlers did well restricting Australia to 243/9. But talented Mitchel Starc (5/26) appeared too hot to handled by the Kiwis when they replied getting bundled out for 157 runs. Australia with 14 points from 8 matches has sky rocketed well above the rest. There is genuine concern whether New Zealand with 11 from 8 matches can get through. They play their last match against England which may turn a virtual knock out. England is in 5th position now with 8 points from 7 matches. They have to play strong India today and New Zealand.

New Zealand as it does in World Cup look strong in earlier matches and look set for the later knock out rounds. But almost every time they appear to loose momentum at crucial moments. This year in marathon they sprinted early and until 6th match remained unbeaten. But they had three stronger teams Pakistan, Australia and England to play. Loosing against Pakistan and Australia they are now in danger of getting knocked out unless they can prevail over host England in its do or die match.

Australia on the other hand started a bit slow and steady. They lost a crucial match against India. But gathered pace and momentum with every match and now looks ready for a serious crack at the championship which will be their record sixth.  In most of the matches Aaron Flinch, Steven Smith and David Warner scored bulked of their runs. But the depth of the batting was also demonstrated effectively as Khawaja (88) and Carey (71) were the main scorers yesterday at Lords when Flinch, Warner and Smith failed. Mitchel Starc their premier bowler peaked form at right moments looking at ominous for any opposition. He clipped wings of Kiwis as he took yet another five wickets haul (5/26). With Cummins and Behrendorff as his mates in teasing and tormenting their opposition Australia looks impregnable yet again.

Winning the toss Australia elected to bat in Sun Shinning Lords. The wicket had lot of pace and bounce. Two inform openers Flinch and Warner (two top scorers in World Cup 2019) struggled to come to terms with quality bowling Boult and Ferguson. Flinch and Warner for change failed on the day. Both got out within the first power play with 38 on board. When Smith Stoinis and Maxwell also not delivering Australia appeared cornered at 81/5 in the 22nd over. The memory of Australia New Zealand pool match in 2015 came into vision. But as often happens in Australia’s case others put their hands up when situation demands Khawaja and Carey salvaged the situation. A 107 runs sixth wicket partnership steadied the rocking boat. Khawaja scored a patient 88. While Carey played an impressive innings of 71 in 72 deliveries, Cummins also contributed 23. Australian score of 243/9 appeared defendable given the pace and bounce of the wicket.

Kiwis response was nipped in the bud with Aussie pace battery Starc, Behendorff and Cummins enjoying bowling fast and furious under sun shine . Guptil and Nichols failed again. Two senior pros Williamson (40) and Taylor (30) tried their best. But once they were removed rest of the batting crumbled like cookies against hostile pace bowling of M Starc taking another five wickets. The man of the World Cup 2015 Starc has already climbed above head and shoulders of the others in wicket taking tally in World Cup 2019 as well. His 5/26 in the match took his tally to 24 wickets in 8 matches. The bowler following him is Fergusson with 17. New Zealand got bundled out for 157 losing by 86 runs.

This loss has put New Zealand in a vulnerable position as far as their qualification for the semi finals. With 11 from 8 matches and a match against England at hand they are not sure about it.  Pakistan with a tight win today has already entered the race with 9 points from 8 matches. Australia and India are in better position. The key match between India and England today will further clear the situation. India winning today will make the match between England and New Zealand a knock out.

BDST: 1007 HRS, JUN 30, 2019
SI