Black Caps Claim T20 Revenge
New Zealand have started their Twenty20 World Cup with a bang claiming revenge against trans-Tasman rivals and defending World Champions Australia, after the Aussies defeated them in last years T20 World Cup final. The visitors win silenced what was early a vocal crowd of 34,576 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
After a blazing start from opener Finn Allen who took to the Australian bowlers without exception smashing 42 runs from just 16 balls, before Josh Hazelwood struck with the foundation set by Allen removing the opener with a delivery that cannoned into Allen’s off stump.
New Zealand may have slowed from there but Devon Conway didn’t miss many opportunities bringing up his half century with a booming 6 over mid off from the bowling of Adam Zampa. Despite a couple of late strikes from Hazelwood and Zampa the finishing of James Neesham (26 from 13 deliveries) and Conway who finished 92 not out brought NZ to the imposing total of 200.
Australia chasing 201, never really got started as consistent wickets, tight bowling and strong fielding from New Zealand restricted the home sides momentum. The Kiwis efforts in the field were headlined by a flying Glenn Phillips catch in the outfield to dismiss Marcus Stoinis from the bowling of Mitchell Santner, Phillips covered significant ground to his right in the covers before diving full length to snare the key wicket.
The bowling performance for New Zealand was lead by Tim Southee (3 for 6 from 2.1 overs) who struck with his first ball of the match, removing David Warner and Mitchell Santner who picked up 3 for 31 from his 4 overs.
A nigh on lone hand from Glenn Maxwell provided some resistance however he fell in the 14th over for 28 to Ish Sodhi and it was all but over. Some tail end resistance via a handful of aggressive strokes from test captain Pat Cummins added some respectability to the end total as he posted his highest ever score in T20I’s of 21 (18) but it all mattered little as Australia fell well short of their target — all out for 111 handing New Zealand a key opening win by 89 runs while Australia will now likely need to win all 4 of their remaining Super 12 matches if they are to progress to the semi finals.
Australia next take on Sri Lanka in Perth on Tuesday 25th at 7pm local time while New Zealand will take on Afghanistan fresh off their opening loss to England at the MCG on Wednesday 26th at 7pm local time.