New Zealand defeated Australia by 89 runs to register their first ever win on Australian soil since 2011 in any format. Black Caps pacer Tim Southee (3/6) gave the Aussies early jolts while defending a mammoth 200. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (3/31) owned the middle phase of the second innings, while fast bowler Trent Boult (2/24) dismantled Australia’s lower-order.
Earlier, Devon Conway (92 not out) and Finn Allen (42) powered New Zealand to 200/3 after being asked ﷽to bat fi♏rst. The opening partnership between Allen and Conway was off 56 runs, and it came in just 25 balls. Finn got out after smashing a 16-ball 42. Conway then added a valuable 69-run stand for the second wicket with skipper Kane Williamson (23).
A late flourish from James Neesham (26* off 13) helped New Zealand to finish on a high. Conway and Neeshan put on an unbeaten partnership of 48 runs for the fourth wicket in just 24 balls. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood picked up two wickets and conceded 42 runs.
Here’s how cricket fraternity reacted on Twitter:
Win and a half for New Zealand!
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
New Zealand always arrive for World Cups ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
What a way to kick off this ! The winning on Aussie soil after 10 years 10 months and 12 days !
Their biggest win in T20I’s!
The ‘upsets’ continue..👍💪🔥— Bhavna Balakrishnan (@Bhavna__B)
A ma𓂃ss🙈ive start to the T20 World Cup! NZ been high quality here 👏🏻
— Jonny Bairstow (@jbairstow21)
Well played buddy♏ what a start to the world cup!! Keep it go෴ing big boy!! 💪🏾
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa)
In a tough group, a defeat as big as this ca꧂n be difficult to overcome.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Proper performance 🥰
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage)
Fantasti😼c opening performance by 2021 runners-up against the defending champs. New𓆉 Zealand have come to play,,,,,again.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
NZ BEAT AUSTRALIA AND DECLARE THE T20 WC.�🅰�. OPEN!!
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
Full list of cricketers to score 90+ ♉against Australia in a T20I on multiple occasions:
Martin Guptill
DEVON CONWAY— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1)
Massive drubbing for Australia. New Zealand were were on favoured by many to win this tournament but after this superb all round performance, there will be some hasty revision in the foreꦿcast!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah)
Kiwi dominated the game fro🍬m the first over. Solid start for the♑ir campaign 👏
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
Devon Conway is made from a different material…so wonderfully aware of his o🤡wn strengths/weaknesses and t🔯he game situation. Consistency in 👏👏
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
You NEVER count the Kiwi’s out !
This is T20 … you never know 🏆🏏
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima)
What a start to the tournament for Devon Conway, 92* runs fr✃om 58 balls including 7 fours & 2 sixes.
The Mr Consistent of New Zealand.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Devon Conway's innings earns him the Player of the Match gong
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
Man of the Match: Devon Conway
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
