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
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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.”
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Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
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