Cricket World Cup 2015 Results: Points Tables and Updated Schedule After Day 15

Three of the favourites for the 2015 Cricket World Cup took to the field on Day 15, and we were treated to a classic encounter between eternal rivals New Zealand and Australia.

Despite being bowled out for 151, Australia pushed the Black Caps all the way at Eden Park. A stunning bowling display from Mitchell Starc gave the Baggy Greens hope late in the innings, but eventually Kane Williamson hit the winning runs with a towering six, handing New Zealand their fourth win from four games.

The second encounter of the day saw India pick up a routine win over the United Arab Emirates. The underdogs could only muster a total of 102 from their innings, and the reigning champions rattled off the runs required in just 18.5 overs.

Here’s a look back at the day’s action, including the updated points tables in both pools.

Points Tables

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Pool A

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	No Result	Net Run Rate	Points
New Zealand	4	4	0	0	0	3.59	8
Sri Lanka	3	2	1	0	0	1.13	4
Bangladesh	3	1	1	0	1	0.13	3
Australia	3	1	1	0	1	-0.31	3
Afghanistan	3	1	2	0	0	-0.76	2
England	3	1	2	0	0	-1.42	2
Scotland	3	0	3	0	0	-1.74	0

Pool B

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Tied	No Result	Net Run Rate	Points
India	3	3	0	0	0	2.63	6
South Africa	3	2	1	0	0	1.26	4
Ireland	2	2	0	0	0	0.34	4
West Indies	4	2	2	0	0	-0.31	4
Zimbabwe	3	1	2	0	0	-0.83	2
UAE	3	0	3	0	0	-1.33	0
Pakistan	2	0	2	0	0	-2.26	0

Upcoming Schedule

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ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Fixtures

Pool Matches

Mar. 1 Pool A: England v Sri Lanka, Wellington (Westpac Stadium) (10 p.m. GMT, Feb. 28)

Mar. 1 Pool B: Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Brisbane (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 3 Pool B: South Africa v Ireland, Canberra (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 4 Pool B: Pakistan v UAE, Napier (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 4 Pool A: Australia v Afghanistan, Perth (d/n) (6:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 5 Pool A: Bangladesh v Scotland, Nelson (10 p.m. GMT, Mar. 4)

Mar. 6 Pool B: India v West Indies, Perth (d/n) (6:30 a.m. GMT 

Mar. 7 Pool B: South Africa v Pakistan, Auckland (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 7 Pool B: Zimbabwe v Ireland, Hobart (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 8 Pool A: New Zealand v Afghanistan, Napier (10 p.m. GMT, Mar. 7)

Mar. 8 Pool A: Australia v Sri Lanka, Sydney (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 9 Pool A: England v Bangladesh, Adelaide (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 10 Pool B: India v Ireland, Hamilton (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 11 Pool A: Sri Lanka v Scotland, Hobart (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 12 Pool B: South Africa v UAE, Wellington (Westpac Stadium) (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 13 Pool A: Bangladesh v New Zealand, Hamilton (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 13 Pool A: England v Afghanistan, Sydney (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 14 Pool B: India v Zimbabwe, Auckland (d/n) (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 14 Pool A: Australia v Scotland, Hobart (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 15 Pool B: West Indies v UAE, Napier (10 p.m. GMT, Mar. 14)

Mar. 15 Pool B: Pakistan v Ireland, Adelaide (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Quarter-Finals

Mar. 18 Quarter-final 1, A1 v B4, Sydney (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 19 Quarter-final 2, A2 v B3, Melbourne (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 20 Quarter-final 3, A3 v B2, Adelaide (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 21 Quarter-final 4, A4 v B1, Wellington (1 a.m. GMT)

Semi-Finals

Mar. 24 Semi-final 1, Winner QF1 v Winner QF3, Auckland (1:00 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 26 Semi-final 2, Winner QF2 v Winner QF4, Sydney (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Final

Mar. 29 Final, Melbourne (4:30 a.m. BST)

Schedule courtesy of BBC Sport.

New Zealand Oust Australia in a Thriller

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

New Zealand (152-9) beat Australia (151) by one wicket

The runs may not have flown freely during this match at Eden Park, but New Zealand and Australia played out a thrilling encounter nonetheless. The Black Caps eventually got over the line thanks to Kane Williamson, but Trent Boult’s exemplary bowling display—taking five for 27 in the match— helped skittle out the Baggy Greens for just 151.

The home side looked set to sashay to the target of 152, but a stunning bowling effort from Mitchell Starc —who took six for 28—made things extremely tight late-on. With one wicket remaining, it was left to Williamson to see his side over the line, and he did exactly that with an enormous six.

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum paid tribute to some exemplary bowling in the aftermath of this enthralling fixture, per Wisden India:

"

McCullum: One hell of a game. Starc's spell was something out of the top shelf. Boult was outstanding. Great pace and swing bowling. #AUSvNZ

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) February 28, 2015"

As noted by BBC Test Match Special, it’s not often two teams play out such a close encounter in this particular tournament:

"

This is the 6th 1 wicket win in World Cups - WI v Pak 1975, Pak v WI 1987, SA v SL 2007, Eng v WI 2007, Afg v Scot 2015 + today #bbccricket

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) February 28, 2015"

In truth, low-scoring affairs like this are rare at Auckland, although it became quite apparent early on that wickets could fall regularly. Aussie openers David Warner and Aaron Finch both struggled for rhythm in the early stages of their innings, and frustration got the better of each as they were dismissed by the excellent Tim Southee for 34 and 14, respectively.

The eminently immaculate Daniel Vettorri also got in on the act, prising out Shane Watson and Steve Smith for meagre scores. The wicket of Smith left the Aussies toiling on four for 95, but any hopes of a counter-attack were dashed by the magnificent Boult.

He took the prize wicket of skipper Michael Clarke before getting stuck into the middle and lower-order. Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh and Starc all had their stumps splayed by the left-armer, and Mitchell Johnson was caught by Williamson off Boult to make it five for the day.

Here’s a closer look at his devastating spell, courtesy of Freddie Wilde of ESPN Cricinfo:

"

This spell from Trent Boult: • W • 1wd W • • 1lb • • • • W • • W • • W. 3-2-1-5. #CWC15 #NZvAus #NZ #Aus

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) February 28, 2015"

A resolute 43 from Brad Haddin ensured things weren’t completely embarrassing for Australia in front of their fierce rivals, but an eventual total of 151 was going to be very difficult to defend; there were few who will have anticipated quite what happened next.

Perhaps the only predictable thing about the New Zealand innings was the blistering knock at the top of the order from McCullum. The Black Caps captain smashed his way to 50 from just 24 balls, and after he and fellow opener Martin Guptill were dismissed, New Zealand were already halfway to their target of 152.

As noted by Cricket Record, McCullum has been in devastating form as of late:

"

Among the 6 Fastest fifties in Brendon McCullum's ODI career, three of those came in 2015 and rest of three came before 2008. #CWC15 #AUSvNZ

— Cricket Record (@cricinfo_record) February 28, 2015"

But despite the assured presence of Williamson at the crease, things became pretty tense very quickly for the hosts. The brilliant Starc bowled both Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott in successive deliveries before big-hitting wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi holed out off his bowling to Pat Cummins.

Nonetheless, New Zealand were still massive favourites, even when they lost Vettori in the 22nd over leaving them on 145 for seven. But left-armer Starc turned on the style once again, taking the wickets of Adam Milne and Southee in consecutive balls; suddenly the Black Caps were 146 for nine and still six runs short of the target.

Momentum was firmly with Australia at this point, and as noted by Lawrence Booth of the Daily Mail, with Williamson at the non-strikers end, the Black Caps looked poised to throw this one away:

"

Good grief. Not a lot Williamson can do from the non-striker's end. And three balls to go of Starc's over...

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 28, 2015"

"

One of the great chokes?

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 28, 2015"

Boult saw out two deliveries from a full-tilt Starc, and Williamson was in no mood for hanging about once he had his chance. The serene number three seized the opportunity to finish the match, showcasing nerves of steel to loft Cummins down the ground for six and sending the Eden Park crowd wild.

Boult picked up the man-of-the-match award for his superb bowling in the first innings, but as noted by Nick Hoult of the Daily Telegraph, any number of men deserved the accolade:

"

Starc or Williamson surely should have been man of the match. Boult bowled well but they delivered under intense pressure

— Nick Hoult (@NHoultCricket) February 28, 2015"

While this match may not have been flush with runs, it’s one that will echo infinitely in the annals of world cricket. The composure showcased by Williamson in the final embers of the match will give New Zealand some major impetus moving forward, and at this juncture, they seem to have all the requisite tools required to win this competition.

Australia’s batting was pretty poor, but after a couple of weeks without any competitive cricket, perhaps they were a little rusty. The Baggy Greens can take heart from the magnificent fight they showcased here, but a loss to New Zealand in such heartbreaking circumstances is always very tough to take.

India Make Light Work of United Arab Emirates

Paul Kane/Getty Images

India (104-1) beat United Arab Emirates (102) by nine wickets

India crushed the United Arab Emirates in the second match of the day, running out emphatic victors by nine wickets.

Despite winning the toss and deciding to bat, the UAE were only able to muster a meagre total of 102, with Shaiman Anwar top scoring with 35. All of India’s bowlers took wickets, but the star of the show was Ravichandran Ashwin, who dazzled with his array of spin deliveries and helped himself to figures of four for 25.

India lost Shikhar Dhawan early on, but two assured knocks from Rohit Sharma (57) and Virat Kohli (33) helped them reach a mark of 104 for one in just 18.5 overs.

The UAE showcased some signs against Ireland that they could potentially spring a couple of surprises at this World Cup and maybe even notch their second win ever in the tournament’s history. But it was a victory that always looked set to elude them here against the reigning champions.

From the very early stages, it was apparent this was going to be a tough day for the Associate nation. They lost both openers within the first five overs of the day, and once the initial powerplay phase was over, Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned to the mercurial spin of Ashwin to get the job done.

He decimated the middle order of this UAE attack, strangling the run-rate, frustrating the batsmen and prompting his opponents into make rash decisions. Krishna Chandran, Khurram Khan and Swapnil Patel all fell victim to Ashwin, and the late wicket of Mohammad Tauqir gave the Indian off-spinner four wickets for the day.

As noted by Andy Zaltzman of ESPN Cricinfo, the Indian performed admirably to take so many wickets at a venue which is notoriously difficult for spin bowlers:

"

Ashwin becomes the 3rd spinner to take 4 wkts in an ODI at the Waca, after Shastri (5-15 v Aus in 1991-2) and Maxwell (4 wkts, twice).

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 28, 2015"

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja also tucked in as the wickets continued to tumble, and eventually, the UAE stumbled to a total of 102 all out.

The one positive to take from the innings was the effort of Shaiman, who once again played with a poise not prominent among his team-mates. As we can see here courtesy of cricket statistician Mohandas Menon, the UAE man has shone at this tournament so far:

"

UAE's Shaiman Anwar last four ODI inns 51 (53b) v Afg 67 (50b) v Zim 106 (83b) v Ire 35 (49b) v Ind Last three inns in #CWC15 #IndvsUAE

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 28, 2015"

For India, it was always going to be a case of when and not if they chased these runs down. They lost Dhawan early on after some good work from Mohammad Naveed, giving the UAE something to celebrate. But when the imperious Kohli made his way to the crease alongside Sharma, the champions never really seemed flustered.

They completed their win in the 19th over, and while it was very much routine, Dhoni's men keep their momentum well intact.

The major positive from this victory was the performance of Ashwin; if he can eek out some turn and bounce from the pitches Down Under, it transforms this Indian team from a very capable side into a formidable one.