With Australia 48 for one after five overs, New Zealand had every right to panic in their World Cup match at Eden Park.
Captain Brendon McCullum didn't. He engraved another chapter in his book of extraordinary captaincy. He backed his bowlers to the hilt and reaped the rewards. The slips
were stacked as the wickets fell and in-fielders such as Kane Williamson at short cover enjoyed catching practice. Australia were dismissed for 151, their fifth lowest ODI total against New Zealand.
How on earth did that happen against the world's No.1 side?
McCullum took Tim Southee off after he conceded 32 runs from three overs, brought Daniel Vettori on in the seventh and counted on two hands as eight wickets fell for 26 runs, led by Trent Boult's five for 27. His figures are the fifth best by a New Zealand bowler against Australia in ODIs and it was his first ODI five-wicket bag. It took until the 28th over for a fourth bowler to be used.
On most other occasions in Auckland city, the generation of such a cacophony would result in a noise control call-out. At Eden Park, no New Zealand fans were complaining about the decibels.
Australia's World Cup prospects were the latest to be placed in New Zealand's bowling and fielding vice.
The chant "you're worse than England" rang out around the cauldron.
During the England fixture eight days ago it was Southee who couldn't be faulted on his way to seven for 33. This was Boult's turn. He scythed through Glenn Maxwell (1), Mitchell Marsh (0), Michael Clarke (12), Mitchell Johnson (1), Mitchell Starc (0). Part of the scorecard looked like binary code.
Southee got the opening breakthrough of Aaron Finch for 14 off seven, removing his off stump and snarling a follow-through grin as he pumped his fists in joy. Vettori and Boult then cramped Australia against the early odds, restricting them to 20 runs from the final five overs of the opening powerplay. The pair produced a clinical display but that's situation normal with this side these days. The well of superlatives has long since run dry.
By the 12th over McCullum brought back a refreshed Southee. He dismissed David Warner lbw for 34 from 42 from the first ball of the 14th. Warner was arguably the most important victim. He was the only batsman genuinely set until Brad Haddin guided the lower order. Warner used the team review, and rightfully so because it hit high, but it was deemed to be clipping the top of the bails.
Haddin produced a cameo of 43 from 41 balls before edging Corey Anderson's second ball to substitute fielder Tom Latham at fly slip.
New Zealand begin their chase shortly having pre-empted the innings break.
Anatomy of Australia's innings, By David Leggat
2.2 overs: Aaron Finch aims lavish drive at Tim Southee loses his off stump. 14. 30-1
11.6: Shane Watson pulls Dan Vettori to deep square leg, Southee takes catch. 23. 80-2
13.1: David Warner lbw Southee, sought referral. Ball hitting top of bails. 34. 80-3
16.3: Steven Smith edges back foot push at Vettori, caught wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi. 4. 95-4
17.2: Glenn Maxwell plays on to Boult. 1. 96-5
17.4: Mitchell Marsh plays on to Boult. 0. 97-6.
19.6: Michael Clarke drives uppishly at Boult, caught Kane Williamson at short cover. 12. 104-7
21-3: Mitchell Johnson pushed catch to cover Williamson off Boult. 1. 106-8.
21.6: Mitchell Starc loses middle stump to Boult. 0. 106-9.
32.2: Brad Haddin spears catch to short third man, sub Tom Latham off Corey Anderson.
43: All out 151
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