New Zealand sent out a message to the other contenders at the ICC Cricket World Cup by defeating Australia in the most dramatic of circumstances at Auckland.

The margin of victory was just one wicket as the Kiwis got over the line in a low-scoring thriller.

Trent Boult took 5-27 to win the Player of the Match award as Australia were skittled out for only 151 in 32.2 overs but Mitchell Starc very nearly turned things around in the second part of the match.

Starc claimed 6-28 to very nearly rescue things for the co-hosts but Kane Williamson, who made an unbeaten 45, got the Black Caps over the line by hitting Pat Cummins back over his head for the winning 6.

The result means that New Zealand have now won all four of their matches and have become the first nation to be mathematically certain of progressing to the quarter finals.

Australia had won the toss and chosen to bat first. Tim Southee, who took 7 wickets in the previous match, removed Aaron Finch in the third over but already 30 runs were on the board.

Southee also bagged David Warner, lbw for 34 and caught Shane Watson off Daniel Vettori for 23.

At 80-3 there was no hint of the collapse that was to follow. Boult bowled Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh, within the space of 3 deliveries, before Brad Haddin mustered a defiant response.

The Australian wicketkeeper made 43 from 41 balls, hitting 4 fours and 2 sixes, as wickets fell all around him.

Michael Clarke, returning from injury, made only 12 before becoming Boult’s third victim and the left-arm quick completed his haul by hustling out both Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc to leave the Aussie innings in tatters at 106-9.

Haddin and last man Pat Cummins got the score up to 151 but the innings was wrapped up 17.4 overs early.

Brendon McCullum set off at a gallop in pursuit of the modest target and scored 50 from just 24 balls, with 7 fours and 3 sixes.

Whilst he was at the crease the Australians were nose-diving towards a real pasting but his departure, falling to Cummins, reignited the hopes of the side in canary yellow.

Starc had picked up the wicket of Martin Guptill and then tore through the middle and lower order, clean-bowling four of his victims.

Corey Anderson made 26 but it was left to Kane Williamson to send the bulk of the Eden Park crowd into raptures with the winning blow.

The Kiwis have never won the World Cup but were always expected to challenge strongly this time. Victory over the tournament favourites, albeit by the narrowest of margins, will now add to the expectation.

They have a week to re-group now as they don’t play their next match until next Sunday, when they oppose Afghanistan in Napier.

Australia should still comfortably progress out of Pool A but they have now won one, lost one and had a match washed out from their first three fixtures.

They are next in action on Wednesday, when they also face the Afghans, in Perth.

Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to watch England seek redemption against the Kiwis and secure your seat now.