New Zealand vs. Australia: Highlights, Scorecard, Report from Cricket World Cup

New Zealand put the cricket world on notice with an extraordinary bowling performance to beat Australia by one wicket in a thrilling, low-scoring Pool A clash at Eden Park.

Australia, welcoming back their captain Michael Clarke, won the toss and batted first. They started well, but a platform of 80-1 after 12.5 overs turned into a horror of an innings, finishing on 151 all out 117 balls later.

"

151 - 151 is Australia's worst ever #CWC score when batting first, eclipsing their previous low 159/9 vs ENG in 1979. Stunned. #NZvAUS

— OptaJason (@OptaJason) February 28, 2015"

The men in yellow needed a ferocious response with the ball, but when Mitchell Johnson's first ball cost 11 runs (Martin Guptill flicking a no-ball for four, then launching the resulting free hit for six over extra cover) the writing seemed to be on the wall.

Australia never gave up, with Mitchell Starc taking six wickets in a quite brilliant spell of bowling, but despite losing wickets the Black Caps still won with more than half their overs to spare.

New Zealand's spot in the knockout stage is surely guaranteed after four straight—and large—victories. 

Australia are expected to follow them through, but their confidence as the tournament favourites will have been shaken.

Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
Finch		b Southee	14	10	7
Warner	lbw	b Southee	34	59	42
Watson	c Southee	b Vettori	23	43	30
Clarke	c Williamson	b Boult	12	34	18
Smith	c Ronchi	b Vettori	4	16	11
Maxwell		b Boult	1	2	3
M Marsh		b Boult	0	2	2
Haddin	c Taylor	b Anderson	43	64	41
Johnson	c Williamson	b Boult	1	4	7
Starc		b Boult	0		3
Cummins	not out		7	46	30
Extras	0nb 6w 4b 2lb	12
Total	all out (32.2 ovs)	151
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Southee	9.0	0	65	2
Boult	10.0	3	27	5
Vettori	10.0	0	41	2
Milne	3.0	0	6	0
Anderson	0.2	0	6	1

This was the biggest test yet of New Zealand's credentials, and for a while they looked gun-shy on a pitch that seemed to invite big scores.

"

New Zealand are pumped for this one! Pick the winner, simply tweet #Aus or #NZ #cwc15 #AUSvNZ https://t.co/x3yX9sXjZu

— ICC (@ICC) February 28, 2015"

Tim Southee was expensive as Aaron Finch and David Warner set the tone, although he did pick up the wicket of the former, knocking over off stump.

But after Australia had rattled along to 80, the procession started. 

It was the introduction of veteran spinner Daniel Vettori that effected the change, with the left-armer suddenly asking different questions and denying scoring opportunities. And when Shane Watson fell to him, New Zealand roared back into the game.

Southee got the key wicket of Warner with an lbw that on review was upheld by a whisker, with the ball just clipping the top of the stumps, before Trent Boult swept into action. 

"

WATCH: The start of the collapse. Warner and Watson's dismissals. https://t.co/WB0guA1hkh https://t.co/VC14JrC6Kr #cwc15 #NZvAus

— Sport News NZ (@NZStuffSport) February 28, 2015"

Two of his victims chopped on to their own stumps, appearing deceived by the ball holding a fraction in the pitch. Clarke and Johnson both offered catches in the covers.

By the time Mitchell Starc had his stumps rearranged, Boult had five wickets in a three-over spell, conceding just one run. Australia were 106-9, the game all but gone.

The crowd roared, the atmosphere in Auckland nothing short of remarkable.

"

Hmmmm, maybe the English played well last week??!!

— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) February 28, 2015"

Brad Haddin found an ally in Pat Cummins who was at least able to remain at the crease while he attacked. The final stand eked out another 45 runs before Haddin holed out to Corey Anderson.

There was little doubt as to how New Zealand would approach the chase under McCullum—at breakneck speed.

Guptill set the tone from the first delivery, with McCullum still more brutal when he got the chance.

"

New Zealand 39 for 0 after 3! The capacity crowd at Eden Park is loving it! http://t.co/T9bbofEPYE #AUSvNZ #cwc15 https://t.co/UgWN1zOV2J

— ICC (@ICC) February 28, 2015"

Not even a nasty shorter ball from Johnson, which struck the Black Caps skipper on the arm and caused immediate, visible swelling, could slow him down.

McCullum's innings finished when he'd reached 50—from just 24 deliveries—and Ross Taylor's splattered stumps signalled the interval with New Zealand 79-3, but the game still looked won.

Batsman	Dismissal	Bowler	Runs	Mins	Balls
Guptill	c Cummins	b Starc	11	23	14
B McCullum	c Starc	b Cummins	50	43	24
Williamson	not out		39	143	41
Taylor		b Starc	1	2	2
Elliott		b Starc	0		1
Anderson	c Cummins	b Maxwell	26	49	42
Ronchi	c Haddin	b Starc	6	6	7
Vettori	c Warner	b Cummins	2	3	3
Milne		b Starc	0	3	2
Southee		b Starc	0		1
Boult	not out		0		2
Extras	1nb 10w 0b 0lb	11
Total	for 9 (23.0 ovs)	146
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Johnson	6.0	1	68	0
Starc	9.0	0	28	6
Cummins	6.1	0	38	2
M Marsh	1.0	0	11	0
Maxwell	1.0	0	7	1

It was not over—when the players returned Mitchell Starc picked up a second wicket in as many balls by cleaning up Grant Elliott.

The equation, however, was so heavily in their favour that there was time for Corey Anderson to flounder before finding his feet and putting on a 50 partnership with Kane Williamson.

It seemed as if he would steer them home, but he popped a catch to mid off with 21 required. Luke Ronchi crunched a six before becoming Starc's fourth victim. Vettori came and went with the target in single figures.

Clarke set an almost Test-like field with just six runs required, and Starc responded by castling Adam Milne and completing a five-wicket haul—and the sixth followed the very next ball. 

For a moment—however brief—New Zealand needed six runs, Australia just one wicket, and the hosts were no longer favourites.

But Williamson made light of the carnage at the other end, blasting a six over long on, and made sure the game was won.