Michael Clarke has been left lamenting Australia’s “horrendous” batting after New Zealand triumphed by one wicket in a dramatic tale of two collapses.
Monster totals may have been everyone’s pre-match prediction for the World Cup cricket clash on Saturday, given the unique dimensions of Eden Park.
Instead, a monstrous collapse defined the game, with the visitors rolled for 151 in 32.2 overs.
Australia slipped from 1-80 to 9-106 in 45 minutes and nine scarcely believable overs.
Man of the match Trent Boult was chief destroyer, claiming five wickets in three overs at a cost of one run.
However, there were nervous moments among the crowd of 40,053 when the hosts fell from 1-78 to 9-146.
Mitchell Starc was twice on a hat-trick, but Boult kept him out for two balls and Kane Williamson hammered a six off Pat Cummins to bring up the winning runs in the 24th over.
Clarke conceded Australia’s total proved almost defendable, but was far from defensible.
“Our batting was horrendous,” he said.
“They bowled really well, swung the ball nicely.
“But our shot selection was very poor.
“Our defence … was a lot poorer than we would have liked.”
Brad Haddin top-scored with 43, putting on a final-wicket stand of 45 runs with Pat Cummins to ensure it was not a record low for Australian cricket.
Clarke backed his side to recover from the slip-up, starting with Wednesday’s game with Afghanistan in Perth.
“There’s never a good time to bat the way we batted. The advantage we have is we’re not knocked out of the tournament,” the returning captain said.
“This is certainly not the end of the world for us.
“I’m still confident we can come out and play our best cricket and turn this around quickly.”
Brendon McCullum was struck on the arm by a 147km/h delivery from Mitchell Johnson in the third over.
But the Blackcaps captain powered past 50 in 21 balls – equalling the mark he set last week against England for the fastest World Cup half-century.
First drop Williamson then kept his cool as the wickets tumbled, finishing 45 not out.
The result is likely to decide the top spot in Pool A, in which case New Zealand will be assured of a home semi-final.
The opening over went for 15 runs, starting with a nervous wide from Tim Southee.
Australia raced to 50 in the sixth over, when McCullum threw the ball to veteran tweaker Daniel Vettori.
It proved a masterstroke.
Vettori and Boult dried up the runs, building the pressure that resulted in Shane Watson picking out Southee on the rope.
Chaos ensued.
David Warner and Steve Smith fell quickly before Boult breezed through the middle order with minimal fuss and marvellous swing.
Glenn Maxwell and Mitch Marsh chopped balls from Boult onto their stumps in the 18th over, while Williamson claimed catches to dismiss Clarke and Johnson.
Starc was undone by arguably Boult’s best delivery, which held its line to clatter into middle stump.
Riccardo
Guest
Onya Don. Despite some poor decision making form both teams' batsmen it was a hell of a game. Thought the bowlers were outstanding. Boult, Vettori and Starc were magnificent. Cannot tell you the relief in my lounge when Williamson hit Cummings for 6 to clinch it. A home semi for us may see us go the deepest we have gone in this tournament.
Don Freo
Guest
The Aussies playing 2 games in almost 3 weeks is reason enough for rustiness. Can't believe people jumping off individual players left, right and centre. Have some faith. That said, I am really enjoying NZ. If the Aussies don't win...and I'd still have them odds on...I'd be very happy to see NZ win the WC. This team is exciting, interesting and everything Aussies love. Go the gutsy underdog.
Chinmusick
Roar Rookie
I really think Watto needs some time off, not because he's done and dusted (he might be), but his one day record is so good! He looks to me like a guy who's strapped to the guillotine and can't take his eyes off that blade! He needs to go to Thailand for a couple of weeks and shag some lady boys or something. The guys a mental shamozzle, he walks to the crease and he's already convinced himself that he's in for a rough day. You can see it in his body language, he isn't being used as an all-rounder and I reckon with a solid week in the nets I could produce similar returns batting at no.3 for Australia. I like the guy and I think he's a weapon, but he needs to go to a place where the word cricket doesn't exist for a month and drink something really powerful and just forget about everything Watto, it could be worse mate...
Chinmusick
Roar Rookie
We have to finish second, not third.
Clark
Guest
Johnson did get dominated, but that pivotal play of hitting McCullum in the arm was a match turner. If he stays in until the break, the game is as good as over.
Boomshanka
Guest
29th March is hardly mid summer & Australia will need to finish third in Pool A to avoid New Zealand in a semi at Eden Park.
sd
Guest
If Johnson keeps leaking too many runs and fails to take wickets he could be out of the world cup sooner than later.
ak
Roar Guru
defeated defeated defeated
sd
Guest
ball's moving +spinning?
sd
Guest
Bailey made runs the last game and watson? get rid of him seriously another 23-30. Finch scored a ton the other week?,He throws his wicket away all the time he's a slogger with maxwell already in the x1 finch out bailey in. Where's Faulkner he's one of our most valuable players. my x1 Warner haddin Clarke Smith Bailey marsh Maxwell Faulkner Johnson Starc Cummins
13th Man
Guest
Yeah pretty much lucky ball doesn't move much at the G
13th Man
Guest
What a game! Aussies lucky to get that close I feel. Starc was sensational as was Boult. I really do think the Aussies missed George Bailey and James faulkner. Bailey would have been a calm head in a crisis and Faulkner would have been there with Hadds in the lower order. So I would be bringing those two back ASAP. Drop Watson for sure. Started the rot today by trying to hit vettori. He has gotta go: My Aus XI Warner Finch Clarke Smith Bailey Haddin Maxwell Faulkner Johnson Starc Cummins
Ad
Guest
This match confirmed the theme of Australian cricket of the last two years: If the ball's moving, we're f@#ked.
Hanes
Guest
Ball won't swing much in Melbourne , good to let the kiwis get a home semi final -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.