WC 2019: Boult takes hat-trick as New Zealand restrict Australia to 243/9

This was World Cup 2019's second hat-trick as India's Mohammad Shami has taken it in the match against WI.

London: New Zealand pacer Trent Boult clinched second hattrick of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 to restrict Australia for a below-par total of 243/9 against Australia in their World Cup 2019 encounter here at Lord's.

Boult while bowling the last over of the Australia innings bowled three perfect yorkers to dismiss Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff.

Boult ended up with a staggering figure of 4 for 51. Lockie Ferguson and James Neesham also chipped in with two wickets each while skipper Kane Williamson also picked up one wicket.

Earlier, Australia middle-order batsman Khawaja and wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey help Aussies team to reach a respectable total of 243/9 after their top order collapse. Khawaja and Carey took the Australian side out of the trouble by building a partnership of 107 runs. Khawaja scored 88 with the help of 5 boundaries while Carey scored 71 studded with 11 boundaries.

Even after a hat-trick by Boult Australia have managed to put decent runs on the board and with the kind of lineup they have Aussie will give a tough fight to Kiwis.

WC 2019: Australia win toss, opt to bat first against New Zealand

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first against New Zealand in the match no. 37 of ICC World Cup 2019 at Lord's here.

Talking about the teams then defending champions Australia have done nothing wrong in this tournament, becoming the first team to qualify for the semifinals and they will aim to continue the winning momentum.

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On the other hand, New Zealand will be under pressure as they need at least a win from their remaining two outings to be assured of a fourth straight World Cup semifinals berth.

Interestingly, Australia and New Zealand met in the 2015 final at the MCG and with memories of that game still fresh, Saturday's match may turn out to be a cracker.

Meanwhile, there are no changes in Australia's squad while Ish Sodhi comes in for Henry for the Black Caps, also Henry Nicholls comes in at the top of the order for Colin Munro.

Teams:

New Zealand (Playing XI): Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham(w), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch(c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jason Behrendorff