AUS vs NZ Twitter Reactions: Australia hold off Ravindra, Neesham to seal thrilling win

Cricket News: AUS vs NZ Twitter Reactions: Australia hold off Ravindra, Neesham to seal thrilling win | Reactions to Australia vs New Zealand classic at Dharamsala

Remember all the talk about the absence of close matches in this World Cup? Well, like London buses, two have come around in very quick succession.

Following on from the Pakistan-South Africa thriller, Australia and New Zealand delivered their own. And what a memorable game it was. From the blistering and scarcely believable start from Australia’s openers to Rachin Ravindra further enhancing his status as one of the game’s best young players, this Trans-Tasman clash just about had it all.

New Zealand kept pace right throughout an incredible chase, taking the game to the very last ball. Their play in the middle overs, courtesy of Ravindra in particular, outshone Australia’s, whose identity between overs 10 and 40 is still unknown. Mitchell Marsh believed it was the best time to prepare for the upcoming Pakistan Test series, leaving more for Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and crucially, Glenn Maxwell, to do.

388 looked like plenty, but we live in a cricket world where such a total is not safe. Especially on a belter of a batting surface at Dharamsala. Mitchell Starc, another concern for Australia, looked off colour, but Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa all enjoyed enough good moments to ensure Starc had enough to defend, which he just managed to in one of the all-time finishes.

Ravindra, who became just the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to hit two ODI World Cup hundreds before turning 24, set things up for New Zealand with a superb 89-ball 116. Jimmy Neesham was the man to take the Black Caps home, but despite his own fine half-century, he fell agonisingly short. Credit should go to Pat Cummins who batted and bowled beautifully in the final ten overs, coupled with razor-like precision with his field placements under pressure.

AUS vs NZ Reactions: Travis Head stars as Australia hold off spirited New Zealand by just 5 runs

In the end, the day belonged to Travis Head who won man of the match for his breathtaking 109 off 67 balls. Coming back from a fractured hand injury, Head didn’t miss a beat, taking to the strong New Zealand attack as if they were park cricketers.

Here are some of the reactions to what was a thrilling encounter.

As brilliant as Travis Head and David Warner were with the bat, Australia needed Pat Cummins’ work at the death with bat then ball. 37 off 14 balls, then 2-24 from four overs when the asking rate was nearly 10 an over. #CWC23 #AUSvsNZ

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) October 28, 2023

Great game. Didn’t expect NZ to come so so close to the target. Australia have registered 4 back to back wins, but their bowling, as well as middle order batting will be a cause of worry.

Rachin Ravindra, what a batting star he’s turning out to be! Kept NZ in the game so that…

— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) October 28, 2023

What an amazing 10 days for Travis Head. Witnessed his baby daughter take her first steps last Tuesday in Adelaide & here he is smashing a century off 59 balls in his first game of the World Cup in the foothills of the Himalayas #CWC23 #AusvNZ

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) October 28, 2023

What an instant World Cup classic. Australia win by just 5 runs!

Superb cricket from start to finish by both sides.

M Marsh needs to play the same as when he opened. Australia should have got 420+#CWC2023 #CricketWorldCup2023

— Menners 🎙 (@amenners) October 28, 2023

Wow. What a game for the last time this World Cup here in DHARAMSALA. Kudos to both Australia and New Zealand👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. Travis Head and Rachin Ravindra💪🏾

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 28, 2023

Fucking amazing chase, absolute full credit Kiwis 🫡

Holey shit we lucky there#CWC23

— Deep Longstop 🐶🏏 (@deeplongstop) October 28, 2023

You should never have Ian Smith calling a close game involving NZ. There’s only one result possible there.

— Cricketologist (@AMP86793444) October 28, 2023

The Reports of ODI cricket’s death are highly exaggerated.

— Prithvi (@Puneite_) October 28, 2023

2 great games on the trot .. The World Cup has come alive .. NZ should take huge confidence from getting so so close in that chase .. Aussies starting to look hot .. Perfect time to fly over for the last few weeks .. #OnMyWay #CWC2023

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 28, 2023

Warner and Head batted brilliantly, Maxwell too but the biggest flopshow has to be Mitchell Marsh. Australia had all the momentum going and then ruined that by sending Marsh at 3. 36(51) when his job is to go at run a ball or more.Pathetic knock.

— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) October 28, 2023

Mitchell Starc is having a Poor World Cup 2023 as of now… He is not even among Top 15 wicket takers as of now in this World Cup…and is looking very average

— Abhinandan (@Abhinandan6638) October 28, 2023

This is where 🇮🇳 and 🇿🇦 are probably lacking.

In a high scoring run chase, if the majority of the top/middle order is gone, do they have the depth in #7/8?#AUSvsNZ

— Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken) October 28, 2023

The only thing that could make this tournament worse is if Australia win the damn thing

— Scarlett (@ScarlettSport) October 28, 2023

So fucking proud of this team though
Absolute honour to be a fan of this New Zealand team

— stuart broad apologist (@cricketpun_duh) October 28, 2023