Pat Cummins was an elated captain as Australia emerged victorious by a narrow margin of five runs versus New Zealand in Match 27 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala on Saturday (October 28).
It was a high-scoring affair, in which the five-time champions piled up 388 on the board and the Kiwis nearly got over the finishing line by scoring 383/9 in response.
Cummins was particularly impressed with his team’s diving and committed efforts on the field. He acknowledged that without their exceptional fielding display, the Aussies wouldn't have managed to defend the colossal target.
The patchy outfield of the HPCA Stadium has been a topic of debate ever since the start of the World Cup. Despite the risk of getting injured, the Australian players threw their bodies on the line to secure a crucial two points for the team.
"Fielding made a big difference. Marnus out there, throwing himself around at the end. Not the easiest fielding grounds here but the boys threw themselves around," Cummins said at the presentation ceremony.
Coming to the match, Travis Head starred with the bat for Australia. Playing his first match in the World Cup after recovering from a hand injury, the southpaw slammed 109 off 67 balls with 10 fours and 7 sixes.
In reply, young Rachin Ravindra smashed 116 off 89 balls to keep New Zealand in the hunt. The likes of Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell also scored valiant half-centuries.
"That was awesome. Sometimes I have to remember I was on the field. They kept coming at us. It was fantastic," Cummins stated.
Talking about the 175-run opening stand between Head and David Warner, the Australian captain said, "I loved that, especially from Trav, who has been away. That is how we want to play, take the game on and they led the way."
Commenting on bowling, Cummins said, "It was a good wicket. I thought, in patches, we bowled really well. Other times, we gave too much width away. Some really good partnerships that were tough to get into."
New Zealand needed 19 off the final over and Neesham nearly pulled off a heist for the Black Caps.
"Fantastic game of cricket. Ebbs and flows throughout. To come so close, obviously it hurts. They played fantastically well and put us on the back foot from the start," Kiwi captain Tom Latham said.
Part-time off-spinner Glenn Phillips was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, returning with the figures of 3/37 in his 10 overs.
"He bowled fantastically to come and bowl 10 overs for 30 and take three wickets, at crucial times. To bowl his full 10 from one end was great and his work is paying off," said Latham.
When asked about the run chase, he said, "When you are chasing close to 400, you have to play the perfect game. Young and Dev (Conway) got us off to a good start. Rachin played an extraordinary knock - one of the better knocks you will see."
(With PTI Inputs)
