NZ thrash hosts and defending champions Australia by 89 runs to avenge last year’s final defeat; Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee shine in convincing win
NZ opener Devon Conway drives against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images
New Zealand thrashed hosts and defending champions Australia by 89 runs on Saturday to start the Twenty20 World Cup Super 12 in style and avenge defeat in last year’s final.
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Devon Conway carried his bat with a majestic unbeaten 92 to help New Zealand blast 200-3 before Australia were skittled for 111 in the 18th over to make a nightmare start to their title defence.
Conway’s knock came from just 58 balls with seven fours and two sixes, joining a select group to make 90 or more at a World Cup. Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee both took three wickets each.
Williamson: Outstanding day
It was New Zealand’s first win against Australia in Australia in any format since 2011. “It was one of those days, an outstanding day,” captain Kane Williamson purred.
“The openers set the tone, lots of contributions right through the batting and that was a very good score on this pitch,” said Williamson.
“The bowlers then did well and were well supported in the field. Everyone knows their roles in this team, we knew about the quality of their bowling, took the game deep and we were very clinical in what we needed to do.”
Also read: T20 World Cup: Australia win toss, elect to bowl against New Zealand
The match at a sold-out Sydney Cricket Ground was a repeat of the 2021 final in Dubai when Australia powered to an eight-wicket win and maiden crown. Aaron Finch’s men now have their work cut out to match that feat in a tough Group 1 with Afghanistan, England and qualifiers Ireland and Sri Lanka awaiting them.
Only the top two make the semi-finals. “They [New Zealand openers] set the tone in the first four overs and we didn’t recover,” said skipper Finch.
“We needed early wickets, which didn’t happen, and when we chased, we lost too many wickets. We weren’t good enough, with the net run-rate taking a bad hit.
‘Need to win everything’
“We play Sri Lanka next, four games left, need to win everything and have some luck on our side.”
New Zealand got off to a sensational start after Finch sent them in to bat, with Finn Allen cracking two fours and a six off Mitchell Starc’s opening over. Not to be outdone, Conway then crunched two blistering boundaries off Josh Hazlewood as the Black Caps plundered 29 from the first two overs.
Brief scores
New Zealand 200-3 in 20 overs (D Conway 92*, F Allen 42; J Hazlewood 2-41) beat Australia 111 all out in 17.1 overs (G Maxwell 28, T Southee 3-6, Mitchell Santner 3-31) by 89 runs
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