Cricket World Cup 2015: New Zealand beat Australia in a nail-biting finish at Auckland

New Zealand have beaten Australia by one wicket in what was arguably the best game of the tournament at Eden Park, Auckland.

It was an important win for the Kiwis in the context of the group, with the co-hosts ostensibly confirmed to come out of group A on top.

Australia failed to press the initiative in the first innings, having chosen to bat in a pitch which was expected to help the bowlers. The top order fell one after the other with David Warner the only batsman able to push past the 20-run mark. It was down to Brad Haddin to save the blushes for Australia, scoring 43 runs at the end of the innings to take the Aussies to a respectable score of 151.

Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, taking five wickets for an economy rate of less than three. Tim Southee and Daniel Vettori took two wickets each to dismantle the Australian batting order.

Coming to chase, the Kiwis started the innings brightly, with Brendon McCullum scoring a quickfire 50, aptly supported by Kane Williamson at the other end. However, his wicket ushered a massive collapse for the Kiwis, who went from being 78/1 to 148/9. In the end, it was a fairytale ending with Williamson, who kept his head and kept the scoreboard ticking, finishing the innings with a brilliant six off Pat Cummins to secure the win.