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.
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)
