NZ V AUS, GROUP A, AUCKLAND

New Zealand 152 for 9 (McCullum 50, Williamson 45*, Starc 6-28) beat Australia 151 (Haddin 43, Boult 5-27, Southee 2-65, Vettori 2-41) by one wicket.

New Zealand beats Australia in a photo finish

AUCKLAND: New Zealand on Saturday defeated Australia by one wicket after a thriller at Eden Park, Auckland, ARY News reported.

Chasing small target of 152, New Zealand started off well, at one stage they were 2 down for 78 with Skipper Brendon McCullum hitting 50 and were cruising in their chase but the Kiwis slipped to 146-9.

Mitchell Starc bowled amazingly well to pull Australia back taking six for 28.

Middle order batsmen Kane Williamson brought New Zealand home by hitting a six straight down the ground off Pat Cummins.

Earlier, New Zealand had bowled out Australia for a paltry 151 in 32.2 overs with Trent Boult finishing with a career-best five for 27.

Australia collapsed from 80 for one in the 13th over to lose their last nine wickets for 71 after they won the toss and batted.

Wicket-Keeper batsman Brad Haddin was top-scorer for Australia with 43.