Kiwis Claim Thrilling Victory Over Rivals
Auckland is humming. After a month of sublime weather, and on a day in which the Volvo round the world yachts arrived in post, the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi at St Heliers was celebrated, along with the Chinese Lantern Festival and Brazilian Day festivities, a crowd of over 40,000 at Eden Park – with millions more watching in New Zealand and around the world – were treated to the most thrilling one day cricket game in recent history.
“If the World Cup was in need of a truly epic match, there could have been none finer, more engrossing or heart-stopping” than the New Zealand vs. Australia match in Eden Park on Saturday where New Zealand defeated Australia by one wicket,” proclaims The Independent’s Stephen Brenkley.
“From start to finish, it was a nerve-shredding delight. Its major narrative, perversely in a tournament of ever more gigantic hitting, concerned wonderful bowling exhibitions, comprising high pace, masterful swing and guileful spin, which frequently reduced batting to anxious guesswork.
“It was one hell of a game. It was an amazing atmosphere and a great game to be a part of” says winning Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum.
With six still needed for victory it seemed that Australia were on the verge of a most improbable victory. But as if he were playing in the back garden and not in this unbearable cauldron, Kane Williamson, the admirable New Zealand batsman, stepped forward and launched a sweet, orthodox six over long on. And it was done.
Australia were bowled out in 32.2 overs for 151, New Zealand responded with 152 for 9 in 23.1.
“Our batting was horrendous to put it politely”, Michael Clarke, the Australian captain said simply. About the New Zealand side he said “Mitchell Starc was a genius”.
Nick Hoult observed in The Telegraph “These two sides are tipped for a sequel in the final. It will be some climax to the tournament if they can repeat this drama.”
Article Source: The Independent, Stephen Brenkley, February 28
Image source: Twitter/BlackCaps
