Williamson pumps his fist after nailing the game-winner
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New Zealand batsman Kane Williams scored an unbeaten 45, which included the game-winning six, to leave Australia heartbroken at Eden Park in Auckland.
Williamson was well supported by captain Brendon McCullum, who made 50, and left-arm pace bowler Trent Boult, who picked up his maiden five-wicket haul as the Blackcaps won the thrilling match by one wicket.
However, Australia left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc deserves a lot of credit as well as he took a career-best six wickets to try and lead his side to victory.
Australia captain Michael Clarke would have been pondering over his decision to bat first after opening batsman Aaron Finch was clean bowled by Tim Southee for 14.
David Warner and Shane Watson made up for the early loss of Finch with a 50-run partnership before Watson was caught by Southee at deep midwicket off the bowling of Daniel Vettori for 23.
Following Watson’s dismissal, Australia’s middle and lower order completely collapsed as they went from 80/2 to 106/9.
Brad Haddin and Pat Cummins somewhat stemmed the bleeding with a 45-run partnership before Haddin was caught by Tom Latham, who was the substitute fielder, at short third man off the bowling of Corey Anderson for 43.
Thanks to Haddin, Australia reached 151 before they were bowled out.
Boult was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Vettori and Southee snapped up two wickets apiece and Anderson claimed one.
Boult picked up a career-best 5-27 off 10 overs
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Chasing 152 to win, New Zealand got off to a brisk start before Martin Guptill was caught by Cummins at mid-off off the bowling of Starc for 11.
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum managed to make 50 off 24 balls, which included seven boundaries and three sixes, before he was caught by Starc at mid-off off the bowling of Cummins.
McCullum hammered seven boundaries and three sixes during his knock of 50
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Just like Australia, New Zealand’s middle and lower order crumbled as they went from 78/2 to 146/9.
Despite the collapse and Starc bowling numerous wicket-taking toe-crunching yorkers, Williamson kept his cool and hammered a huge six straight down the ground to leave Australia looking on in absolute despair as he celebrated, what will forever be known as, one of the greatest moments in World Cup history.
Williamson finished unbeaten on 45, which came off 42 balls and included five boundaries and a six.
Starc was the most successful bowler with six wickets, while Cummins took two and Glenn Maxwell claimed one.
Starc finished with a career-best 6-28 off nine overs
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Clarke was gutted to have lost the match, and said: “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 groundsmen, it was a very good pitch. Credit to New Zealand for the way they bowled and executed they their skills very well, we let ourselves down with the bat.”
McCullum was relieved to have gotten over the finish line, and said: “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.”
Boult was named Man of the Match, and said: “We tied them down very nicely and in my mind that was [the time] to come back in the second spell and take wickets, didn’t think I would get five. We pulled it back nicely and everyone chipped in to make it a chaseable total. We’ve been working well for the last 6-12 months and [we will] move forward to the game next Sunday to get some more wins.”