Black Caps legend Martin Crowe enjoyed a double celebration at Eden Park on Saturday – he was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, and watched New Zealand stumble over the line to beat Australia by one wicket in one of the World Cup’s more extraordinary games.
Pre-game one could reasonably predict two opening batsmen – Australia’s David Warner and Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum – to blaze seriously big numbers with the bat.
Or for two opening bowlers – Australia’s expressman Mitchell Johnson and Black Cap record-holder Tim Southee – to dominate with the ball.
No way.
Warner scored an out-of-character sedate 34 off 42 with just two fours and a six, while McCullum was more like his normal self with 50 off 24 with seven fours and three sixes.
But Johnson (6-1-68-0), and Southee (9-0-65-2) were pasted to all parts of a chock full Eden Park. It was to be the second stringers turn to have a memorable day out.
Trent Boult’s career best 5-27 was instrumental in Australia struggling to reach the well below par total of 151.
If it hadn’t been for keeper Brad Haddin top-scoring for the Australians with 43, to dominate a 10th wicket stand of 45 with Pat Cummins on seven not out, the total would have been considerably more embarrassing.
Australia lost 8-26, collapsing from 1-80 to 9-106 before the Haddin-Cummins stand.
With New Zealand cruising at 4-131 in reply and needing only 22 runs for victory, Mitchell Starc put his hand up to be counted.
In a stunning burst second-stringer Starc returned career-best figures as well with 9-0-28-6 as the Black Caps lost 5-15.
Starc was on a hat-trick, with Kane Williamson and 11th man Boult together with nine out, and still six runs to get.
Australia was within a ball of the great escape, but the ever patient Williamson, who had been at the crease since the fall of the first New Zealand wicket, straight drove Cummins for a towering six, and the nail-biting was over.
Williamson will probably never play a more meaningful innings for his country than his unbeaten 45 off 42 with five fours, and the match-winning major he saved for last.
Trent Boult was named man-of-the-match, but surviving the Starc hat-trick delivery, with New Zealand still six short and nine down, would have been far more meaningful than the trophy.
So the Black Caps are bowling along at the top of Pool A, unbeaten in four outings, while Australia has one win, one loss, and one no result – exactly the same stats as Bangladesh.
That fact alone should be enough to shake the cobwebs out of the Australians, while the Black Caps, and especially Martin Crowe on his big day, have every right to crow.
Renegade
Guest
"Bcos when Sri Lanka (best top order in the comp) beats Australia in the pool play" You willing to put money on that??
Targa
Guest
You reckon we'll be playing South Africa in the semis? Bcos when Sri Lanka (best top order in the comp) beats Australia in the pool play, it is gonna be a South Africa-Australia quarterfinal
Riccardo
Guest
Onya mate. I would expect nothing less than fumbling excuse making couched in bravado and spite. It's true we nearly made a meal of the chase but that is as unlikely to happen again as the Australian collapse. Can't wait for your witty rejoinders when we next meet. We're coming Dirk...
Riccardo
Guest
Starc got a 6 for and was on a hatrick twice. His bowling was outstanding. The pressure Williamson was under as all and sundry threw their wickets away would have been immense. To watch Boulty at the other end while those 2 deliveries were bowled more or less meant he had to finish it quickly. The guy's a freak. Trent still deserved but either of the other 2 would have not had any argument from me...
Dirk
Guest
Definitely a sneak home. It was almost another classic NZ sporting choke on par with the Americas cup and the 03 rugby World Cup. Shame they won't get past SA in the semi final. At least they can dine out on this victory for many years to come.
dan ced
Guest
I think Boult with his 5fer and Those 2 balls he survived trumps Starcs consolation wickets. Williamson will be godlike in a few years but that innings was just a clam strike rotating innings you expect from a veteran. Just doing his job basically. Calmness on the big stage is a good thing though.
The Runt
Guest
Warner & Smith both lucky to come NSW because the figures make your statement funny both have low averages and a very low 50s scored per innings especially Smith only 6 from 40 innings not real flash .
Riccardo
Guest
Dirk? Jake? Where are you fellas? The Black Caps deserved the win but almost let Starc with some frankly outstanding bowling, and unbelievably bad shot selection, conspire to snatch defeat from the jaws of certain victory. After McCullum's innings we could have blocked this to a comfortable victory. That lack of application will be uppermost in the match-review. Kudos to Australia though; they showed just why, even under the pump, they are at the top of the heap. I see some fantastic encounters in this format and Tests over the next few years...
Riccardo
Guest
Starc or Williamson would have been equally deserving...
Don Freo
Guest
It is Lordy!
Nudge
Guest
Amazing stats and comparisons Ronan. Cheers
Jo M
Guest
Agree James, he has to be given more than one test at a time. There is an interview on the CA website where he says he feels confident with the white ball and feels like he belongs in the white ball team. He obviously doesn't feel like he belongs in the red ball team and that's what needs to change. Encourage the kid and make sure he feels wanted in the test team and watch the difference.
Jo M
Guest
He is very underdone. He played the first 3 tests and then sat out the Sydney one. Then he was "rested" for the tri series with a supposed hamstring strain yet there were numerous articles that said it was for personal reasons. He was brought back for the final, played the first game of this WC and has had a 2 week break without a game before yesterday. Not much cricket for him in the last 7 or so weeks.
Bobbo7
Guest
The comment about Williamson is beyond reason. This kid has played several remarkable Test and ODI innings to win games for NZ. While it was good to get the win I doubt Williamson would count this in his top 10 knocks to date. And he's 24... Could well win the WC for NZ yet
Mahee Hossain
Guest
Good idea we just lost a close match on a ground we haven't played in for a million years. LETS DROP EVERYONE!
Spruce moose
Guest
It's cause he didn't. That was a peach of an innings at the basin.
Spruce moose
Guest
Undoubtedly
Hayley
Guest
Its like they didn't even see him in the test match against Sril Lanke at the Basin earlier this year.
Gazzatron
Guest
Johnson doesn't swing the ball. That's why McCullum went after him. He hasn't played much recently so is a bit underdone but even if he was bowling 10km quicker he still would have been smashed by Bmac
Andrew
Guest
Think he was underdone, the washout hurt him and McCullum broke any confidence MJ had left.