In a thrilling encounter at the ICC World Cup, Australia defeated New Zealand by just five runs in the last over. Neesham played a fighting knock of 58 runs off 39 balls, but it was not enough to take his team over the line.
Australia had earlier posted a mammoth total of 388 runs on the board, thanks to centuries from David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne. New Zealand got off to a good start in the chase, with openers Finn Allen and Martin Guptill putting on a 150-run partnership. However, both batsmen departed in quick succession, and New Zealand found themselves in trouble.
Neesham then came to the crease and played a scintillating innings. He hit five fours and two sixes, and kept New Zealand in the hunt. He was well supported by Mitchell Santner, who scored a half-century.
With the equation down to seven runs off two balls, Neesham hit a powerful shot to the boundary. However, he was run out trying to get back on strike for the last ball. New Zealand needed six runs off the last ball, but they could only manage two, and Australia won by a narrow margin.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Warner and Labuschagne put on a 234-run partnership for the first wicket, which laid the foundation for a big total. Warner scored 143 runs off 128 balls, while Labuschagne scored 124 runs off 111 balls.
Other notable contributions came from Steve Smith (53 runs) and Glenn Maxwell (48 runs). Australia lost wickets at regular intervals in the death overs, but they still managed to post a formidable total of 388 runs on the board.
New Zealand got off to a flying start in the chase, with Allen and Guptill putting on a 150-run partnership in just 18 overs. However, both batsmen departed in quick succession, and New Zealand found themselves in trouble.
Neesham then came to the crease and played a fighting knock of 58 runs off 39 balls. He was well supported by Mitchell Santner, who scored a half-century. The duo put on a 100-run partnership for the sixth wicket, and kept New Zealand in the hunt.
With the equation down to seven runs off two balls, Neesham hit a powerful shot to the boundary. However, he was run out trying to get back on strike for the last ball. New Zealand needed six runs off the last ball, but they could only manage two, and Australia won by a narrow margin.
Here are some Twitter Reactions:
Omg what a nail bitter game that was James Neesham gives his heart out for this match but hard luck for him not able to finish that inning in winning side feel for him. But Australia win this match only coz of there fielding that 2 boundary save won that match 🔥#AUSvsNZ #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/vcikSAiK7o
— Bagad Billa (@maitweethoon) October 28, 2023
James Neesham's blitz end in vain as New Zealand fell short by five runs in a last over thriller against Australia. #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/6ZC70tKSoi
— Sports Express (@Xpress_Sports) October 28, 2023
Appreciation post for James Neesham :
— Pratyush Mohan (@pratyush101010) October 28, 2023
BY THE BAREST OF MARGINS..Jimmy taketh Jimmy giveth what an innings❤️,Best match of the world cup so far#AUSvsNZ pic.twitter.com/C0KRe8yjYA
Pat Cummins smashed 20 runs in just 4 balls against James Neesham . #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/8lcxNqUQwX
— CRICK info….. (@Prangya48501179) October 28, 2023
You can feel for James Neesham he try his best but run out on 2nd last ball .A great inning under pressure.a true fighter #AUSvNZL #AUSvNZ #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/nyNtmr7kK1
— 𝙈 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙢 Ishaq (@woi1236) October 28, 2023
Take a bow James Neesham.#ICCCricketWorldCup #AUSvsNZ pic.twitter.com/qwVL6HhrWi
— Sparsh Mittal (@SparshM00273039) October 28, 2023
Well played Rachin Ravindra you played like a youngster and experienced.And James Neesham also . Hope you enjoying this world cup by yourside . #CWC23 #AUSvsNZ pic.twitter.com/bBayVPsHx6
— Raju Kumar (@RajuKumar094) October 28, 2023
It was a thrilling encounter between two evenly-matched teams. Australia batted brilliantly in the first innings, and New Zealand gave them a good run for their money in the chase. Neesham played a brilliant innings, but it was not enough to take his team over the line.
Australia’s victory was a testament to their team spirit and fighting spirit. They were never out of the game, even when New Zealand were in control of the chase. Their bowlers bowled well in the death overs, and they fielded brilliantly.
New Zealand will be disappointed with the loss, but they can take heart from the fact that they gave Australia a good run for their money. They played some excellent cricket, and they will be looking to bounce back in their next match.
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