http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at Nagpur
NZ 206 all out in 45.1 overs
New Zealand recovered to post a fighting total after having slumped to 71/6 in their Group A World Cup match against defending champions Australia.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and opted to bat first on an indifferent wicket at the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Vidarbha-c860 Cricket Association ground in Nagpur.
The Kiwis were hit hard by the pace duo of Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait who went through the top order with their searing pace and swing.
The Kiwis started their innings in a positive manner with Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill going after the bowling; however the mainstay McCullum was sent packing by Tait when he top edged a cut short that was held by Jason Krejza at the third man boundary.
After his demise, the Kiwis were dealt a series of blows; Guptill was bowled by Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 with a ball that crept a shade low.
With the total at 66, Jesse Ryder edged the ball through to Brad Haddin in the 13th over, after scoring a quick fire 25. In the same over James Franklin was sent packing by Johnson with Haddin taking another straight forward catch.
Two more wickets fell quickly: Scott Styris found Tait too hot to handle edging that ball through to Haddin without scoring in the 14th over. Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 who was also undone by the pace of Tait a few balls later in the 16th over.
The Kiwis were brought back on track by the Kiwi duo of Daniel Vettori and Jamie How. How was dismissed by Steve Smith for 22 runs in the 28th over.
Nathan McCullum and skipper Daniel Vettori repaired the damage to some extent adding 54 runs for the 8th wicket. McCullum completed his half century before being dismissed for 52; his innings included 3 fours.
Vettori scored 44 off 43; his innings included 5 fours. The left hander was eventually dismissed by Brett Lee with Haddin nestling another catch behind the stumps.
The Kiwis were bitterly disappointed at not playing out their allocation of overs, and would now need a herculean effort to haul down the world champions.
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