Black Caps batsman Kane Williamson gives a rare show of elation after hitting the winning six to beat Australia. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Black Caps batsman Kane Williamson gives a rare show of elation after hitting the winning six to beat Australia. Photo / Brett Phibbs
McCullum’s injury not serious and next batting order to be decided .
A day or two to reflect on their part in one of the most stunning of all conclusions to a Cricket World Cup match, then back to business for the Black Caps.
And the first order of that business, once New Zealand reconvene in Napier on Wednesday, will be sorting out who plays against Afghanistan at McLean Park next Sunday.
Four players - remember them? - Mitchell McClenaghan, Tom Latham, Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum - have been on drinks duty throughout the cup so far. They'll be desperate to play and logic suggests at least some of them will next Sunday.
Image 1 of 22: Australian opener Aaron Finch is bowled by Black Cap Tim Southee. Photo / Brett Phibbs
However, New Zealand's coach Mike Hesson wasn't about to resoundingly endorse that idea yesterday. Clearly he believes a thorough discussion needs to take place over how to work through the final two group A games, ending with Bangladesh on March 13 in Hamilton, to round it off.
"It's always a balancing act," Hesson said. "When you have a week between games if you leave out key players it can be two weeks before they play again, which is a long time. We'll have to sit down and work out the pros and cons of both."
The pros include getting game time into players who may be needed should injury arise on the eve of a knockout game. The cons are steady as she goes and take your chances on continued good health for the favoured XI.
The quartet have done extra training and "I know all four are chomping at the bit to get an opportunity, and if they do I'm really confident they'll do well".
Saturday's breathtaking finish - New Zealand lost four for 14 in the last 14 balls of the match to win by one wicket - was a chance to learn, for both teams, as on current form you would not bet heavily against them meeting again in the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 29.
No guarantees mind, but they appeal as the front-runners right now.
New Zealand's batsmen discovered there was more to watch out for than Mitchell Johnson thunderbolts, which McCullum was largely responsible for flaying for 68 in six overs.
Mitchell Starc, and his six for 28 - from first to last wickets he took six for 13 in seven overs - was the third top drawer bowling exhibition of the day, after Boult's magic 5-3-3-5 second spell, and Dan Vettori weaving some old magic.
Twice Starc was on a hat-trick, it was his second six-wicket bag of the year and New Zealand's lower order had no answer.
It was a game of several individual standout performances, the decisive one coming from the unflappable Kane Williamson, without whose 45 not out New Zealand were toast.
"He smiled a couple of times," Hesson quipped of Williamson's standard low-key response to high personal achievements, and the back-slapping and good cheer of his teammates.
"He doesn't give much away. That's just who he is. But he's pretty determined and I'm sure he'll look back with a lot of satisfaction."
So which team took more out of the match?
The easy answer is New Zealand. They beat the world No1, albeit staggering over the line. Their bowlers discovered plenty about creating pressure on Australia's batsmen. It should not be underestimated what winning does for the feel-good factor within a side, even if it was by the slenderest margins.
"There's always a bit of mystique surrounding Australia. A lot of our guys haven't played them so we'll be far better off for having that game," Hesson said.
