Despite their success, New Zealand has been labeled as the dark horse of every ICC tournament in the past 7-8 years. And now, they have given a resounding indication that they are no more dark horses, but genuine title contenders by defeating hosts and the defending champions, Australia, in the Super 12 opener on Saturday in Sydney.
The Kiwis registered a thumping 89-run win in front of an almost sold-out SCG crowd to kickstart their campaign and give Australia a shock early on.
Here are the two main architects of New Zealand’s big victory over Australia:
Finn Allen
Finn Allen was picked over the experienced opener, Martin Guptill. The 23-year-old youngster vindicated New Zealand’s decision by smashing 42 runs off only 16 balls. Allen sparkled the powerplay with his stunning assault over the Aussie pacers, clattering 5 fours and 3 sixes.
He went berserk right from the first over, smoking the dangerous Mitchell Starc for two fours and a six in the first over of the game. After a boundary to Hazlewood, Allen tore into Pat Cummins with 4 4 0 6 2 and then clobbered Stoinis for a six before Hazlewood bowled him with a yorker. This knock from Allen set the tone of New Zealand putting up a big total and gaining an upper hand.
Devon Conway
Man of the Match Devon Conway scored 92 unbeaten runs off 58 balls with the help of 7 fours and 2 sixes. The left-handed opener first enjoyed the Finn Allen show from the non-striker’s end before putting up a show of himself. At the end of the powerplay, Conway was 19 (13).
Conway’s next task was to get regular boundaries because skipper Kane Williamson was conservative for his own knock and ended up with a run-a-ball 23. Conway, though, kept the momentum hitting Zampa for two sixes and two fours in the middle overs.
He was also quick in between the wicket. In the slog overs, he accumulated nicely placed boundaries off Stoinis and Starc. With 7 half-centuries in 26 knocks, Conway’s T20I average now has jumped to 57!
