ODI World Cup 2023: Australia vs New Zealand 27th Match - Who Said What?

Australia continued their winning run in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as they beat New Zealand by five runs in Match 27 on Saturday, October 27 at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. After being put in to bat first, Australia posted a massive score of 388 in 49.2 overs as Travis Head scored a magnificent hundred on his return to the team.

In reply, New Zealand came agonizingly close to chasing down the highest target in the history of the tournament but eventually fell six runs short of their target. Rachin Ravindra was the top scorer for the Kiwis who continued his marvellous form in the tournament and scored his second hundred of the event. Later in the innings, Jimmy Neesham gave his all for his team with a brilliant half-century but failed to take them over the line.

Check Here: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

Here are the talking points from the match:

1. Travis Head’s sensational hundred on his return

Travis Head announced his arrival in the ODI World Cup 2023 in style as he scored the fastest hundred by a World Cup debutant off just 59 balls. He played a scintillating innings of 109 off 67 smashing ten fours and seven sixes in his innings.

2. Rachin Ravindra continues to amaze fans with his remarkable performances

The 23-year-old once again stood up for his side as he scored his second hundred of the tournament and kept New Zealand in the game. Ravindra scored 116 off 89 balls clobbering nine fours and five sixes in his innings as rose to the third spot on the list of the highest run scorers in the tournament (406 runs).

3. Jimmy Neesham takes New Zealand agonizingly close to a win

Following Mitchell Santer’s dismissal in the 44^th over, New Zealand were staring down the barrel as they were 320/7 needing 69 to win from 39 balls. However, Neesham kept them in the game with his innings of 58 (39) clobbering three fours and three sixes in his knock. The southpaw unfortunately got run out on the penultimate ball of the match which led to New Zealand losing by five runs.

Player of the Match, Travis Head, Australia said:

Nice to be back. Nice to be contributing. Nice to get the win, got very close there, was a hell of a game. I had only had a couple of hits (since returning from injury). Obviously had a six-7 weeks off. I think so (asked if it is just about getting the confidence back on return). Few blokes found it tough out there, keep pushing with the bat. We (him and Warner) play together really well. We complement each other really well, make sure we stay connected with each other and stay with each other

Losing Skipper, Tom Latham, New Zealand said:

Fantastic game of cricket, ebbed and flowed throughout the 100 overs. To come so close obviously hurts, but a fantastic game. They put us on the back foot straightaway and at that point and it was about containing them and keep taking wickets. He (Phillips) bowled well under pressure, to come and bowl 10 overs and pick up 3 wickets it was really crucial. Great to see the work he is putting in and it is paying off. The openers got us off to a fantastic start and Rachin played a fantastic knock, one of the better ones you will see chasing. It was a great effort and proud of the guys. It (Dharamsala) is a fantastic place to play cricket. Just want to say all the best All Blacks (New Zealand rugby team) can't wait to watch the final and hopefully they bring the World Cup home.

Winning skipper, Pat Cummins, Australia said:

It was awesome. They just kept coming at us and it was a fantastic game of cricket. Travis has been away for 5 weeks, first hit back in the game and the kind of intent they (openers) showed, they led from the front. It was a good wicket and at times we probably gave too much width and some really good partnerships there. Fielding made a big difference. We got about 5-6 day break now, so we will enjoy this moment and get stuck in at the back end (of the tournament).

Also Check: Most Wickets in Cricket World Cup 2023