Defending champions Australia were soundly defeated by New Zealand in their maiden T20 World Cup encounter at the SCG. New Zealand had not beaten Australia in any version of the game in Australia since 2011, but they were always ahead in this match, and as a result, the Black Caps win by 89 runs.
Finn Allen & Devon Conway Bristling’s knock, help the Black Caps win by 89 runs
In a brilliant performance of courageous hitting, Finn Allen set the tone by blasting his second and third balls off Mitch Starc for four and six on his route to a 16-ball 42. Devon Conway, on the other hand, was the hero of New Zealand’s innings, carrying his bat for a 58-ball-92 as the Black Caps reached 3-200 after being put in by Aaron Finch.
New Zealand’s largest T20 win over Australia
Australia’s chase never got underway, with just Glenn Maxwell (28) and Pat Cummins (21) reaching 20 as the hosts were bowled out for 111 in the 18th over. “They played beautifully,” Maxwell said after the game. They scored too many runs, and we were unable to form partnerships; we also lost wickets during the innings.
It was essentially how not to play a T20 match
Allen’s daring strokeplay put Australia on the back foot right away, as the speed trio of Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins were hammered across the SCG in the opening three overs.
Even when Allen was bowled by Hazlewood and Conway was replaced by the more conservative Kane Williamson, the runs kept coming at a disturbingly comfortable rate. As Conway approached 50, the Australians were unable to dry up singles or preserve boundaries. Williamson was finally caught LBW by Adam Zampa, while a brief appearance by Glenn Phillips was cut short by Hazlewood.
Jimmy Neesham & Conway Sets the total over 200 Runs
That brought Jimmy Neesham to the plate for one more attack, as he and Conway raised the score to 200 with a six off the penultimate ball of the innings. The Australians’ pursuit never began. In an alarming foreshadowing of what was to come, David Warner was bowled when a ball bounced off his glove, thigh, and bat before miraculously bouncing onto the stumps.
Phillips gets airborne to reel in an outrageous outfield catch
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Finch and Mitch Marsh both hit boundaries but were out soon after before Phillips supplied the evening’s highlight with his magnificent outfield grab to remove Marcus Stoinis. The Australians never threatened a competitive game after that, despite some imaginative hitting from Maxwell and late-order swinging from Cummins.
“Obviously, there have been worse nights,” Santner told ABC Sport
It’s obviously a difficult venue to win, as we’ve discovered over the years, so it was wonderful to get some shots in early tonight. It’s certainly a lengthy tournament, and any team in this pool has the potential to upset anyone. Australia will meet Sri Lanka in Perth on Tuesday, and a near-perfect run from here on out will be required to advance to the semi-finals.
Tim Southee finished with 3-6 and Mitch Santner 3-31 from four overs helps the Black Caps win by 89 runs in Sydney.
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