T20 World Cup: New Zealand make big statement, crush Australia by 89 runs in Super 12 opener | Cricket News

SYDNEY: Wicket-keeper batsman Devon Conway smashed an unbeaten 92 as New Zealand start the T20 World Cup Super 12 stage in emphatic fashion, defeating defending champions Australia with 89 runs here on Saturday.
The 31-year-old left-handed opener played some sublime shots as he held the New Zealand innings together in a 58-ball knock that was studded with seven fours and two sixes and took them to an impressive 200 for three sent in after them.
As It Happened: Australia vs New Zealand
Not to forget the explosive start given by rising T20 star Finn Allen as he hit a sensational 16-ball 42.
In reply, Kiwi pacer Tim Southee (2.1-0-6-3) set the tone early ahead of the left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (4-0-31-3) fooled the Aussies with his clever variation to make it a lopsided game.
The New Zealanders were relentless in attack as Australia were bowled out for 111 in 17.1 overs to suffer their second heaviest T20I defeat in terms of runs.
It was also Australia’s first defeat against New Zealand in Australia in any format since 2011.

The Aussies lost half of their team in 10.2 overs after the talented Tim David (11) became Santner’s third victim.
Southee cleaned up David Warner in the most unlikely way as the left-hander’s pull shot off his leg, arm and bat before dislocating the stumps in the second over.
Despite the major setback, the defending champions were quick to regroup as Mitchell Marsh played some stunning knocks, including a stunning six overs against Santner.
Just when the hosts looked to be getting into the groove with the experienced duo of Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell in the middle, a Superman-like flying catch by Glenn Phillips caused a collapse.
The boundaries started to dry up after Finch and Marsh fell cheaply.
Stoinis tried to attack a wide Santner delivery when Phillips ran a few yards to his right from deep cover and dived to complete a blinder.
Australia looked out of their depth without their star batsman Steve Smith.
Earlier, Conway was not ballistic but his runs came at a good rate and he completed his fifty in 36 balls, with a six off Adam Zampa in the 13th over.
In the process, he became the second fastest player in T20I history after Dawid Malan to score 1,000 runs.
However, he failed to complete his first century in the format with Jimmy Neesham (26 not out; 13 balls) taking most of the strike at the death to push the total to 200 with ‘ a six off the last ball through Josh Hazlewood.
Conway’s opening partner Finn Allen fired the opening salvo as he blasted his way to a 16-ball 42, hitting three sixes and five fours in the innings to give the Kiwis the perfect start after Aaron Finch elected to field to play.
The 23-year-old Allen showed why he is being touted as the future T20 star when he blasted the fiery Mitchell Starc with two fours and one six, including a cleanly powerful smash over the midwicket boundary in the first over.
He also continued his fury against Pat Cummins, as the Aussie veteran fed him with a short jab, and Allen happily spun him for a six in an over that yielded 17 runs.
Seasoned Conway was content to play second fiddle to Allen hitting all over the park as they raced to 56 for no loss inside four overs.
Hazlewood finally gave the hosts a breakthrough when he pulled Allen in the fifth over to end his innings, which came at an astonishing strike rate of 262.5.