AUS vs NZ: Australia Overcome New Zealand Challenge In High-scoring Thriller Despite Rachin Ravindra, Neesham's Heroics

AUS vs NZ, ODI World Cup 2023: In match 27 of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, Australia triumphed despite New Zealand's narrow miss on a historic run chase.

A thrilling and, of course, high-scoring match took place at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, which was ultimately won by the Pat Cummins-led team by a mere five runs.

Australia has won four straight games and now sits in fourth place, one spot behind the Blackcaps despite both sides having eight points from six games.

With his tremendous hitting, James Neesham (58) nearly led his team to victory, but Marnus Labuschagne's outstanding deep fielding proved to be the difference.

But the game saw a remarkable statistic: 771 runs, blasted across two innings, became the most ever scored in a World Cup match.

Rachin Ravindra hit his second century of the tournament, but his team was losing ground on the other end and he was the one who kept them in the game.

With the aid of nine fours and five sixes, he amassed an incredible innings of 116 runs in 89 deliveries, destroying the Australian bowlers all over the field.

Before being removed for 54 in the 24th over, Daryl Mitchell scored a fifty and shared a promising 96 runs for the third wicket with Ravindra.

Despite being removed by Pat Cummins in the 41st over, Ravindra was unable to bat to the very finish, but Neesham preserved his team's chances.

With the bottom order, the star all-rounder forged small but crucial partnerships that propelled his team to the verge of victory.

The Blackcaps needed 19 runs in the final over to win, but Mitchell Starc gave the batting side five runs with a horrendous wide delivery on the second ball that went on to cross the fence.

The next three balls he conceded three doubles, but he was able to maintain composure.

Neesham smashed the ball into deep mid-wicket with seven runs needed off two balls, but he was unable to take another double and his team was in serious trouble as Australia won with a dot ball remaining.

Earlier, after winning the toss, New Zealand chose to bat first against Australia, but the decision was disastrously undermined by openers David Warner and Travis Head, who piled up an incredible 175 runs together.

Head went on to smash a century in his debut World Cup match, while Warner was out for 81 runs.

Josh Inglis played a solid innings and captain Pat Cummins had a blazing cameo, helping Australia score 388 runs before being bowled out in 49.2 overs.

Head was declared the Player of the Match after his outstanding 109-run innings, which featured seven sixes and ten fours.