On this day in 2019: Australia take down neighbour New Zealand in World Cup clash
The rivalry between Australia and New Zealand goes long, and in ICC Tournaments like the World Cup, it becomes more interesting. On this day in 2019, Australia defeated the Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the World Cup by 86 runs. In this match, Australia captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bat. Batting first, Australia scored 243 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs.
But, in reply, New Zealand were bundled out for 157 runs in 43.4 overs and lost the match by 86 runs. Australia started slowly in this match, but the middle order powered the side to a respectable score. New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult got a hat-trick in the last over but it was of no use as the Kiwis suffered a defeat. For Australia, Usman Khawaja scored 89 runs and Alex Carey played a 71-run knock. In the bowling department, Mitchell Starc took 5 wickets while Jason Behrendorff picked up 2 wickets.
Chasing the target of 244 runs, Martin Guptill added 29 runs in the first 9 overs with Henry Nicholls. Nicholls got out after scoring 8 runs in 20 balls and was caught by Alex Carey off the delivery of Jason Behrendorff. Martin Guptill was dismissed LBW by Jason Behrendorff after scoring 20 runs off 43 balls.
New Zealand suffered the third blow in the form of captain Kane Williamson who scored 40 off 51 balls and was caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey off Mitchell Starc. The team also lost Ross Taylor and Colin De Grandhomme in quick succession.
The chances of the Kiwi team winning the game worsened as wicket-keeper batsman Tom Latham was caught by Steve Smith after scoring 14 runs in 28 balls. They soon lost Jimmy Neesham and Ish Sodhi as well. The last wicket of the New Zealand team fell in the form of Mitchell Santner.
Santner became Mitchell Starc’s fifth victim after scoring 12 runs in 29 balls. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor were the only two Kiwi players who stayed for over 50 balls. The team lost their last 8 wickets in the interval of 60 runs.
