Conway stars as New Zealand steamrollers Australia in opener

SYDNEY: Wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway smashed an unbeaten 92 as New Zealand began the T20 World Cup Super 12 stage in emphatic fashion, thrashing defending champion Australia by 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, which was studded with seven fours and two sixes and took it to an imposing 200 for three after it was sent in.

Also, not to forget the explosive start given by rising T20 star Finn Allen as he hammered a sensational 16-ball 42.

In reply, Kiwi pacer Tim Southee (2.1-0-6-3) set the tone early on before left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (4-0-31-3) foxed the Aussies with his clever variation to make it a lopsided contest.

The New Zealanders were relentless in attack as Australia folded for 111 in 17.1 overs to suffer its second heaviest T20I defeat in terms of runs.

This was also Australia’s first defeat to New Zealand in Australia in any format since 2011.

The Aussies lost half of its side in 10.2 overs after the talented Tim David (11) became Santner’s third victim.

Southee cleaned up David Warner in the most unlikely fashion when the left-hander’s pull shot ricochetted off the his leg, arm and bat before unsettling the stumps in the second over.

Despite the big setback, the defending champion was quick to regroup as Mitchell Marsh played some exquisite shots, including a stunning six over covers against Santner.

Just when the host 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 triggered a collapse.

The boundaries started drying up after Finch and Marsh fell cheaply.

Stoinis looked to attack a wide Santner delivery as Phillips, from the deep cover ran a few yards to his right and dived to complete a blinder.

Australia, without its star batter Steve Smith, looked out of depth. Earlier, Conway did not go 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.

BRIEF SCORES: New Zealand 200/3 in 20 overs (D Conway 92*, F Allen 42) bt Australia 111 in 17.1 overs (T Southee 3/6, M Santner 3/31)