New Zealand Thrash Australia By 89 Runs To Hand Defending Champions Their Biggest T20I Defeat

T20 World Cup 2022: Australia began their defence of the Twenty20 World Cup with a crushing 89-run loss to New Zealand on Saturday as the Black Caps avenged their defeat to Aaron Finch's men in last year's final.

In the opening clash of the Super 12, Devon Conway carried his bat with a majestic unbeaten 92 to help New Zealand blast 200-3 before the hosts were skittled for just 111 in the 18th over.

Chasing 201 to win, Australia lost David Warner in an unlucky way in the 2nd over. New Zealand kept picking up regular wicket as none of the Aussie batters got the chance to settle in. New Zealand dismissed Warner (5), Aaron Finch (13) and Mitchell Marsh (16) inside the powerplay.

Glenn Maxwell was the top scorer as he scored 28 runs off 20 balls with 3 fours & a six. Apart from him, Pat Cummins (21) was the only other player to cross the 20 run mark. For New Zealand, Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner grabbed 3 wickets each while Trent Boult picked up 2 wicket. Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi managed 1 wicket each.

In the first innings, evon Conway batted throughout the 20 overs to score an unbeaten half-century as New Zealand posted 200/3 against Australia in the 1st match of the Super 12 stage in the T20 World Cup 2022. 

Opener Finn Allen gave a blazing start as he smashed 42 runs off 16 balls with 5 fours & 3 sixes inside the first 4 overs. Hazlewood got rid of Allen on the 1st delivery of the 5th over but his opening partner, Devon Conway held the mantle. 

Conway smacked 92 runs in 58 balls with 7 fours & 2 sixes as he remained not out. James Neesham also played a good cameo as he scored 26 runs off 13 balls with 2 sixes at the end. 

For Australia, Josh Hazlewood picked up 2 wickets while Adam Zampa managed 1 wicket. 

Earlier, Australia captain Aaron Finch won the toss & opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup 2022. This match is being played at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.

Brief Score:

• NZ – 200/3 (Conway - 92*(58), Hazlewood - 2/41)
• AUS – 111/10 in 17.1 overs (Maxwell - 28(20), Southee - 3/6)