Watch the highlights of Australia vs New Zealand 5th Match WSC 1993-94 - Benson & Hedges World Series Cup one-day international tournament of the 5th ODI match played between New Zealand and Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne on 16th December 1993.
Half-centuries from Mark Taylor and Mark Waugh before Leg-spinner Shane Warne's career-best 4 for 19 helped to Australia narrow 3-run victory over New Zealand in a see-saw game of the fifth match of a Benson and Hedges World Series Cup.
Australia scored 202-5 in 50 overs with top scorer by Mark Taylor cracked a 81 off 129-balls including a boundary.
Mark Waugh struck 53 off 78-balls including a boundary and Steve Waugh hit 25 off 28-balls included 3-fours.
New Zealand best bowler by Debutant Richard de Groen - who took 2-wickets for 40-runs in 10-overs on his debut ODI match, Chris Pringle and Chris Harris both took one-wickets.
New Zealand scored 199-9 in the allotted 50 overs with top scorer by Shane Thomson struck 42 off 41-balls including 2-fours & a six.
Mark Greatbatch struck 41 off 54-balls including 4-fours, Ken Rutherford cracked a 39 off 67-balls included 5-fours.
Rod Latham struck 39 off 94-balls including two boundaries and Gavin Larsen hit 17 off 15-balls contained a four.
Australia best bowler by Shane Warne claimed a career-best 4-wickets, Craig McDermott and Mark Waugh both took 2-wickets.
Shane Warne named Player of the match for his excellent spin bowling performance to claimed a career-best 4-wickets for 19-runs in 10-overs including a maiden with economy rate of 1.90.
This match reported by The Canberra Times Staff (Third Party Reference from The Canberra Times)
A sluggish Australia once again had leg-spinner Shane Warne to thank for an exciting three-run victory against New Zealand in their World Series Cup one-day cricket international at MCG
In a performance blotted by misfields and dropped catches, it was left to Warne to lead the side home after it had set New Zealand 203 runs for victory.
New Zealand never gave up in its brave run pursuit which came to a climax when it required 11 off the final over.
Craig McDermott (2-40) bowled a tidy over and tail-ender Danny Morrison needed a six off the last ball.
He jokingly swung his bat like a baseballer as McDermott charged in but managed only two runs with a swipe through the covers.
Warne mesmerised Kiwi bats to take 4-19 off 10 overs. He took 4-25 against them in Adelaide on Sunday and carried, picking up the crucial wickets of Rod Latham (39) and Mark Greatbatch (41).
After making 202, Australia turned in an out-of-character performance in the field when it failed to catch Ken Rutherford and Latham in the outfield and helped the Kiwis in their run pursuit.
New Zealand's hopes of victory appeared to vanish when Greatbatch was adjudged lbw in the 45th over and the Kiwis were 5-146. But Shane Thomson kept the flame flickering with his highest one-day score of 42 off 41 balls.
He shared a 33-run sixth wicket stand with Gavin Larsen which kept the crowd of 25,893 on the edge of their seats as the overs ticked down.
Larsen (17) was bowled to give Mark Waugh his second wicket and then Thomson followed six runs later when he was caught by Australian captain Allan Border at deep mid-wicket.
Earlier, Greatbatch and Border exchanged words after the New Zealander was given out trying to sweep Warne.
Greatbatch glared at umpire Tony McQuillan after he was hit on his back thigh when the ball appeared to pitch in line with his leg stump.
He then walked up the pitch and said something to Border as the skipper came in to join the victory celebrations.
New Zealand got off to a terrible start when it lost opener Bryan Young leg before to McDermott before the side had scored.
But then Latham and skipper Rutherford mounted a rescue and lifted the score to 66 before Rutherford played on to his stumps attempting to cut Mark Waugh. Rutherford skied a hook shot in the 21st over but was dropped by David Boon at fine leg.
Warne was introduced midway through the innings and claimed his first victim in the 31st over when Latham strayed from his crease to be stumped by wicket-keeper lan Healy.
Mark Taylor provided the cornerstone of Australia's innings with a top score of 81.
He received good support from Mark Waugh (53) and Steve Waugh, who retired hurt with a torn hamstring after making 25 runs.
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