Auckland, Feb 28 (IANS): Australia skipper Michael Clarke blamed their “horrendous” batting for their one-wicket loss to New Zealand in a World Cup Pool A game at the Eden Park here Saturday.

Deciding to bat first, Australia were bowled out for 151 in 32.2 overs with Black Caps pacer Trent Boult (5/27) picking up his first five-wicket haul in One-Day Internationals (ODI). In reply, the hosts managed a one-wicket win.

“Very entertaining and we'd have liked it to go the other way. Our batting was horrendous to put it politely,” said Clarke, who made a comeback to international cricket after a hamstring surgery in December.

Though the skipper blasted his batsmen for their dismal show, he lauded the efforts of left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, who sent some cold shivers down the Black Caps batting line-up, picking up 6/28 from his nine overs.

“Starc is a genius. Both teams would say we didn't bat the way we'd have liked. Credit to the groundsmen, it was a very good pitch. Credit to New Zealand the way they bowled and executed their skills very well, we let ourselves down with the bat,” added Clarke.