Cricket World Cup: Daniel Vettori masterclass underpins epic victory

Black Cap Daniel Vettori turned the Cricket World Cup game with some quality bowling. Photo / Getty

Some events are immensely predictable, while others you simply don't see coming.

A team bowled out for a below-par total, sure. The tail tumbles rapidly, fair enough.

But when all the talk had been about big scores, muscular batting on the postage stamp in Mt Eden, this happens.

Australia were blown away spectacularly, even after having hit the ground running. Nine wickets for 26 in 9.1 overs. And you thought England's capitulation was a one-off.

Black Cap Trent Boult's withering second spell — 5-3-3-5 — produced pandemonium among the 40,053 fans. He deserves all the accolades he'll doubtless get.

But back the memory up a bit.

Australia were 51 for one after six overs. Pugnacious David Warner, having seen off the boo mob in the stands, was in and set to run away. At the other end, Shane Watson, struggling, but still there.

The predictor, which again took a bashing yesterday, suggested if Australia rattled along from that point at eight an over, they'd finish somewhere north of 360.

So the captain tossed the ball to Daniel Vettori, who marked out his run-up and delivered a master class of high-class left-arm spin bowling.

Watch: Black Caps win thriller against Australia - highlights

To be more accurate, guile rather than spin. A hot day, good batting pitch, full house in and Vettori turned the game.

Sure, Boult was spectacular, but had Vettori not stuck his finger in the dyke, Australia might have been uncatchable a couple of hours later.

Warner was itching to get at him, a cat preparing to pounce. Vettori bowled him 16 balls. Warner managed eight runs.

Watson got five off eight balls before holing out to deep square leg. Vettori clenched his fists in understated delight. Captain Michael Clarke? Three runs off eight balls. Steven Smith? One off five deliveries, then caught behind.

From the seventh over to the 15th, Australia managed just 36 runs and lost two wickets. Try as they might, Australia's batsmen simply could not collar the 36-year-old rolling back the years.

"Lovely. Quality, quality bowling," purred Geoff Boycott, who knew a bit about batting.

Vettori's first nine overs cost 28 then Brad Haddin took him for 13 in his last. It was a pity. Eden Park had witnessed a masterly demonstration - variations in pace, angle and flight against quality batsmen in no mood to sit quietly.

Vettori spent the best part of the last two years trying to get himself fit for a final World Cup bow. His Achilles seemed to have let him down. But he persevered, worked and proved himself ready.

Figures of 2-34 in the World cup opener against Sri Lanka - big wickets, too, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene - showed he was on his game.

Yesterday, his team desperately needed him and he delivered, as he has been for nearly 18 years.

The sun is setting on a fine career. Enjoy watching a gifted artist while you can.

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