T20 World Cup 2022, AUS vs NZ: Rampant New Zealand open account with clinical win

New Zealand team in action [Source: Twitter]

The opening encounter of the Super 12 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup saw New Zealand decimate Australia by a whopping 89-run margin. The Kiwis got a stupendous start to their World Cup campaign with this thumping victory. On the other hand, Australia's net run rate has taken a massive dip after this crushing defeat. 

Devon Conway's glorious knock powers New Zealand to a mammoth total

Conway played a fabulous knock [Source: AP]

Finn Allen ensured New Zealand got off to a flier, hammering a breathtaking 16-ball 42 before being undone by Josh Hazlewood's searing yorker in the fifth over. Allen's knock, glittered with five fours and three sixes, helped New Zealand race to 65 in the powerplay. Skipper Kane Williamson couldn't put much impact with the bat as he crawled his way to a run-a-ball 23. 

However, Devon Conway held the fort for the Blackcaps, getting ample support from Glenn Philips and Jimmy Neesham. The stylish southpaw took all Australian bowlers to the cleaners for his magnificent 58-ball 92*. Neesham ensured a fitting finish for the Kiwis, smashing a couple of sixes for his valuable 26-run cameo. 

Hazlewood emerged as Australia's most successful bowler, scalping two wickets for 41 runs. 

Bowlers' collective effort restricts Australia to a paltry 111

Southee and Santner starred with the ball [Source: Twitter]

The chase started on a poor note for Australia, as Tim Southee removed David Warner (5 off 6) and Mitchell Marsh (16 off 12) cheaply. Aaron Finch, who looked good for his 11-ball 13, fell prey to Mitchell Santner's unmatched guile and accuracy. Things went further downhill for the hosts with Tim David's departure, who hit it straight to Neesham off Santner in the eleventh over.

Although Glenn Maxwell put up a fight with his 20-ball 28, Ish Sodhi shattered his stumps to hit the final nail in Australia's coffin. After Maxwell's dismissal, the Blackcaps quickly completed the formalities, bowling their Trans-Tasman rivals out for 111 runs. 

Brief Scores

New Zealand: 200/3 (20)
Devon Conway 92* (58), Finn Allen 42 (16);
Josh Hazlewood 2/41 (4), Adam Zampa 1/39 (4)

Australia: 111 (17.1)
Glenn Maxwell 28 (20), Pat Cummins 21 (18);
Tim Southee 3/6 (2.1), Mitchell Santner 3/31 (4)

New Zealand won by 89 runs. 

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: What led to West Indies' group stage exit?