Liam Napier rates the Black Caps' performances in their 86-run World Cup loss to Australia.
Martin Guptill 4
Lack of runs continues. Average of 26.3 at this World Cup is skewed by his 73 not out in the opening win over Sri Lanka. One good knock in any remainingmatches you feel would be enough to carry New Zealand to victory. Dropped one sharp chance at short cover, one he should have taken at slip, and held the catch of the tournament to claim Steve Smith.
Henry Nicholls 3
Struck successive boundaries from Mitchell Starc but then lacked strike and fell strangled down the leg side attempting to hook. Injured on the eve of the tournament, and his last ODI came back in February, so needs another crack.
Chipped away to 40 before guiding Mitchell Starc to the keeper in a frustrating dismissal. Didn't put the foot on the throat when Australia were 92-5 but claimed 1-35 from seven overs, using himself to try tweak the ball away the left handers.
Kane Williamson. Photo / Getty
Ross Taylor 5
Ran out of patience under scoreboard pressure after Williamson departed, swinging across the line to fall to a sky high top edge off Pat Cummins for 30.
Tom Latham 3
Superb Steve Smith catch sent Latham on his way and continues his World Cup struggles – this 14 from 28 balls his highest score. Sloppy with the gloves at times, dropping a difficult Usman Khawaja chance.
Tom Latham. Photo / Getty
Jimmy Neesham 6
Made an impact at the bowling crease, edging out Marcus Stoinis and holding a brilliant caught and bowled to nullify Glenn Maxwell. Didn't get going with the bat but arrived with the game all but gone.
Colin de Grandhomme 5
Couldn't nab a wicket with the new ball, finishing with 0-29 from eight overs, and departed first ball after attempting to clear the fence.
Will be disappointed to only be called on to bowl three overs, conceding 0-23 which continues a struggle for wickets.
Ish Sodhi 5
Threatened at times but didn't have the impact or accuracy he would have liked having finally been given a chance, after the blow out of not using him against Pakistan at Edgbaston.
Lockie Ferguson 8
Doing all he can to inspire. Wicket with his first ball to get rid of David Warner with a 142km snorter. Backed that up six balls later to remove Steve Smith, thanks to Guptill's one handed grab. Pace continues to trouble the world's best batsman.
Trent Boult 9
Finished Australia off by claiming New Zealand's first World Cup hat-trick with three pitch perfect yorkers. Also claimed the in-form Aaron Finch at the top with one that jagged back in.
