Trent Boult became the first New Zealand bowler to claim a hat-trick in the World Cup, but it could not stop champions Australia still cruising to an 86-run victory in Saturday’s rematch of the 2015 final between the trans-Tasman rivals at Lord’s.
Boult dismissed Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff in successive deliveries, but he was later to be upstaged by Australian match-winner Starc, who became the first bowler ever to earn three World Cup “five-fors.”
Australia, who had been reeling at 92-5 in the 22nd over, managed to post a competitive 243-9 after electing to bat.
Photo: AFP
“[It was] a great partnership from Alex Carey and Usman Khawaja on a wicket we knew would turn,” said Australia captain Aaron Finch.
Australia, who had already secured a place in the semi-finals, remain on top with 14 points from eight matches, three points ahead of India who have played six.
New Zealand remain third with 11 points from eight matches, but their second successive defeat leaves their qualification still not assured.
“What we needed was one major 100-plus partnership where we could soak up some pressure and turn the momentum our way,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “It wasn’t to be today. We have to pick ourselves up and move on.”
Starc mowed down the New Zealand lower order to consolidate his position as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 24 victims and maintain his own personal push to be crowned player of the tournament for a second successive World Cup.
PAKISTAN VS AFGHANISTAN
Reuters
All-rounder Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 49 on Saturday guided Pakistan to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Leeds, England, maintaining their hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals.
Afghanistan remain winless after eight games, and just as they did against India earlier this month, they came agonizingly close to a memorable victory.
The game was marred by a clash between the supporters of both teams in the stands, with ESPNcricinfo reporting that at least two fans were evicted.
Videos shared on social media showed fans fighting outside the venue, with the International Cricket Council saying it would take action against “any anti-social behavior.”
Backup quarterback Luke Weaver on Wednesday night threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left, as the University of Hawaii rallied for a 35-31 comeback victory over the University of California, Berkeley in a thrilling Hawaii Bowl. Weaver entered the game after Micah Alejado took a hard hit on the previous play. With the Rainbow Warriors (9-4) in range for a tying field goal, coach Timmy Chang took a shot at the end zone, and Cenacle got between two defensive backs and made the contested catch. “How amazing is that?” Chang said. “It’s a program that is built
STILL IN THE HUNT: Rasmus Hojlund took his goal tally for SSC Napoli to nine as the champions cruised to a win at US Cremonese and stayed two points behind the leaders Inter on Sunday stayed at the Serie A summit after beating Atalanta BC 1-0 to maintain their slender lead over local rivals AC Milan. Lautaro Martinez netted the only goal of the game in Bergamo for Inter, who lead Milan, 3-0 winners against Hellas Verona thanks to Christoper Nkunku’s first Serie A goals, by a single point at the top of the division. The Argentina striker has scored in four consecutive league matches to end what has been a tricky year in positive style. “I ended last season in a lot of pain... I kept going during the Club World Cup and international
Hosts Morocco on Friday were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, ending their world record run of wins and leaving them still to make sure of progress to the next stage. Midfielder Brahim Diaz tucked away a penalty in stoppage-time at the end of the first half, but Mali equalized from the spot midway through the second half through Lassine Sinayoko. Both penalties were awarded after video reviews in a tempestuous clash at the end of a busy day of action at the tournament. Morocco were atop the Group A standings with four points, while Zambia,
An astounding 20 wickets fell on a frantic first day of the fourth Ashes Test yesterday, with Australia all out for 152 before storming back to dismiss England for 110 and leave the clash on a knife-edge. England skipper Ben Stokes won a key toss on a green track and his quicks feasted after sending in the hosts under overcast skies in front of 94,199 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was the biggest cricket crowd ever at the cavernous arena, exceeding the 93,013 who watched the 2015 World Cup final, and they witnessed the home side collapse with Josh Tongue
RSS