Pool A: Australia Vs New Zealand Played at Auckland
Australia 151 All out 152 /9 (BJ Haddin 43, DA Warner 34, SR Watson 23, TA Boult 5/27,DL Vittori 2/41 , TG Southee 2/65 ) beat New Zealand 152 /9 ( BB McCullam 50 , KS Williamson 45* ,CJ Anderson 26 , Mitchell Starc 6/ 28, PJ Cummins 2/ 38 ) by 1 wicket
It was a fiction; it was a low scoring fairy tale .The Tasman Tigers (Kiwis and Kangaroos)played a low scoring high voltage fascinating match at Auckland. Kiwis won the photo finish competition – a one wicket victory over the Aussies. The wicket which regularly produces 300 plus scores saw two of the most explosive batting line up struggling to post and chase 150 .What a fascinating world cup? One day one team scoring 400 plus another day teams are struggling to reach 150.
The most important pool A match settled the score which team would finish on top. New Zealand is now sitting comfortably at the top with 100% win after four matches. They have to play Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Australia losing the match runs the risk of finishing even third behind Sri Lanka. If that happens they have to play South Africa in the quarter final. 
Before we post the report of the match it won’t be out of place to revisit what captains summed up the day.
Michael Clarke: Very entertaining and we'd have liked it to go the other way. Our batting was horrendous to put it politely. Starc is a genius. I think both teams would say we didn't bat the way we'd have liked. Credit to the grounds men, it was a very good pitch. Credit to New Zealand the way they bowled and executed their skills very well, we let ourselves down with the bat.
Brendon McCullum: One hell of a game. Both teams showed what quality their bowlers are. Starc for them and Boult for us, both were outstanding and the support was outstanding as well. We saw some great pace and swing bowling. We want to be an aggressive team with bat, ball and on the field as well. Everyone wants to see 300 scores, but 150 is great as well, with only one wicket down. Boult and Southee are outstanding in both Tests and ODIs; they have done well for a very long time, without disrespect to anyone.
Australia winning the toss started brightly. People say morning shows the day .But here was the exception. When Australia raced to 30 runs in 2 overs we enjoying the match at Ringwood Cricket Club pavilion over the Annual Club Lunch ( Aminul Islam Bulbul and Sajjad Ahmed Bobby with me ) thought that flood gate is about to open. Flinch was removed by Southee. But Warner and Watson kept the momentum going with smart running between the wickets and playing aggressive strokes every now and then. Vittori removed Watson and Southee accounted for dangerous looking Warner trapping him plumb in front .This triggered a sensational collapse. Smith, Maxwell, Mitch Marsh and Clark were blown away were blown away in the tidal surge. Ken Jacobs a long serving Cricket Victoria had no hesitation in consoling us that at the moment Australia is not doing any better that Bangladesh did at MCG a couple of days back. Trent Boult ripped apart Australian middle and late middle order with an exceptional exhibition of fast bowling .The Aussies were reeling at 9/106 .The lone warrior Haddin was ploughing in the sand with the Cummins accompanying him. A 45 runs last wicket stand somehow saved the face with a final score of 151 all out.
We were discussing with Cricket Victoria ex executives and Ringwood Cricket Club officials (Club that offered to let its first team play practice matches with Bangladesh and Bangladesh team using their ground for practice) for future partnership. I told all that knowing the Australians for a decade I can guarantee Australians will fight for every run to make a match of it.
New Zealand started in a whirl wind fashion too. 40 runs were knocked off in less than 4 overs when Starc removed Guptill. Brendon McCullam was in his element punishing anything thrown at him with brute force. An early finish was looming. He raced to 50 in 24 balls ( a business usual for him) .But his departure at 79 in the 9th over triggered a mini collapse >Taylor poor run of form got extended and Elliot also perished in the wink of an eye. This brought in Williamson and Anderson together to pilot the ship out of troubled water. They put on 52 useful runs in the 5 th wicket partnership before another person named Mitchell Starc created a Tsunami in the Tasman sea .Anderson, Ronchi, Vittori ,Milne and Southee were wiped out bring tension all over the Cricket world . At 146/9 it was anybody’s game. A brilliant fight back by “Never Say Die” spirited Aussies .Starc was on a hattric with two balls to be bowled to number 11.Boult somehow survived. Cool like cucumber Williamson struck the first ball of Cummins across and over the rope to earn a thrilling victory for the Kiwis .
There is a possibility now that the co -hosts may play each other in the semifinals and if that happens that will be another home match for the Kiwis. But before that Australia may need to play South Africa at Quarter finals if the finish behind New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
BDST: 1636 HRS, FEB 28, 2015
