Devon is cream of the crop
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Australia New Zealand
T20 World Cup
New Zealand beat Australia by 89 runs
DEVON CONWAY scored a brilliant unbeaten 92 as his “outstanding” New Zealand side thrashed defending champions Australia.
A rematch of last year’s final opened the Super 12 stage with a bang at a packed Sydney Cricket Ground as Black Caps blasted their way to 200-3.
Then Kiwi seamer Tim Southee struck early to remove David Warner – bowling him somewhat fortuitously via his leg, arm and the back of his bat – on the way to figures of 3-6.
So the shell-shocked hosts were skittled out for 111.
“It was an outstanding day,” said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.
“It was a very good total on that surface and I thought the bowling and fielding was outstanding.
Brutal
“We know how good this Aussie side is but the boys showed a lot of ticker, and took their catches.”
It was the hosts’ biggest loss in a T20 World Cup and New Zealand’s first win in any format against their neighbours in Australia since a Test victory in
Hobart 11 years ago.
Finn Allen, one of four changes from the New Zealand team that lost last year’s final in Dubai by eight wickets, set the tone for the Group 1 match with a brutal 42 off 16 balls.
Williamson managed a run-a-ball 23 before Jimmy Neesham (26no) finished the innings with Conway, who hit his 92 off 58 balls.
Warner’s unfortunate early departure for five – Southee’s opening delivery – immediately put the home side on the back foot.
Mitchell Santner (3-31) had Australia skipper Aaron Finch caught in the covers for 13 before Southee got his second wicket when Mitch Marsh was caught in the deep by Neesham for 16 before the end of the powerplay.
“They got the jump on us in the first four overs and we never really recovered,” admitted Finch.
“We were just totally outplayed in all three facets of the game.”