Head smashes hundred on his comeback as Australia win thriller against New Zealand

Travis Head's rapid hundred trumped Rachin Ravindra's gallant 116 as Australia beat New Zealand by five runs in the highest-scoring match in World Cup history to stay on course for a semi-final slot in the 50-overs tournament on Saturday.

Head, who missed the first five matches of the tournament with a broken hand, smashed 109 off 67 balls and forged a breakneck 175-run opening stand with David Warner (81) to propel Australia to a commanding 388 all out at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

Glenn Maxwell (41), Josh Inglis (38) and skipper Pat Cummins (37) provided breezy cameos down the order before Australia were all out in 49.2 overs.

Glenn Phillips was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 3-37, while Trent Boult took 3-77 and Mitchell Santner 2-80.

Ravindra led New Zealand's spirited reply with his second hundred of the tournament and Daryl Mitchell made 54 to steady their innings.

The 2019 runners-up looked out of the contest after Ravindra fell in the 41st over but James Neesham injected fresh drama with a never-say-die 58 but it was not enough in the end as New Zealand ended just short of their target on 383-9.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa took three wickets for 74 runs, while Josh Hazlewood and skipper Cummings picked up two scalps apiece.

Player of the match Head said: "Nice to be back, it was very close in the end, a hell of a game.

"I've only had a couple of hits, a bit like the Test championship where I was off for six or seven weeks. It's still early days but it's nice to be back.

On his partnership with Warner he said: "We play together really, really well, we combine really well. Play what comes towards us, try and play positive and do what we can."

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Australia