Finn Allen scored a 17-ball 32 in first T20I vs AUS (AP)
New Zealand opener Finn Allen launched Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for a massive six over deep midwicket in the first T20I of their three-match series.
Turning up for his country at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, the top-order batter started patiently before unleashing a six-laden powerplay bombardment over Australia’s new-ball attack.
Allen was eventually holed out by David Warner off Mitchell Starc at the brink of the opening powerplay as he walked back to the sheds with a thunderous 17-ball 32 to his name.
Finn Allen pumps Hazlewood in sizzling cameo
Opening the innings with Devon Conway, Finn Allen saw off the opening Mitchell Starc over with just a single from his first five balls. The 24-year-old demonstrated the first signs of his aggressive intent the following over off Josh Hazlewood by launching the seasoned Australian speedster for a huge six over deep midwicket.
Watch: Finn Allen berates Josh Hazlewood in his opening over
Finn Allen also carved Josh Hazlewood for a boundary over cover-point on the very next delivery to race to a confident start for his country. A while later, the cricketer belted Glenn Maxwell with successive sixes before Mitchell Starc halted his furious onslaught in the sixth over of the innings.
Allen clubbed a couple of boundaries and three sixes in his 32-run cameo at the top of the order from just 17 balls.
Allen’s opening partner Devon Conway and number three Rachin Ravindra reaped the spoils off his top-order assault by blasting dazzling half-centuries from their ends. The two shared over 100 runs to take their side past the 150-run mark in just the 15th over of the innings.
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