Twitter Reactions: New Zealand thrash defending champions Australia in opening match of Super 12

Defending champions Australia and previous year’s finalists New Zealand squared off in the first game of the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. The second stage of the tournament could not have kicked off in a better way than this, as the Kiwis plotted a perfect act of revenge for last year’s finale loss, and bagged a magnificent 89 run victory over the hosts.

The game started with Australian skipper Aaron Finch winning the toss and electing to bowl first. Finn Allen and Devon Conway opened the innings for New Zealand, and the former was on fire from the word go. The duo put up a 50-run partnership in the fourth over itself, and though Allen’s dismissal looked upsetting for the team, he managed to give his side the perfect start scoring a quick 16-ball 42, which included five fours and three sixes.

Thereon, it was a Devon Conway show. Skipper Kane Williamson joined him after Allen’s wicket but perished soon after scoring a run-a-ball 23. Conway punished the opposition bowlers and hit them for big runs all across the stadium to bag his half-century. He batted flawlessly and carried the innings forward till the end.

Glenn Phillips had to walk back quickly after scoring a 10-ball 12, but James Neesham assisted Conway in the best way possible and notched up a fiery 13-ball 26. Conway finished the innings remaining unbeaten for a 58-ball 92 as New Zealand posted a humungous target of 201 runs for Australia to chase.

Australian batting lineup crumbles like a cookie

Australia did not have an ideal start to their innings, as senior opener David Warner was dismissed in a bizarre manner, and that dismissal was followed by a series of wickets. Finch impressed by hitting a couple of big shots but perished soon after Warner, thanks to Mitchell Santner. By the end of the powerplay, Australia had lost three big wickets.

The Kiwi bowlers were on a roll as they did not let a single Australian batter cross even 30 runs. Notably, Glenn Maxwell ended as the top scorer for his side with a 20-ball 28 and Australia was dished out for mere 111 runs while chasing 201. Pacer Tim Southee and spinner Santner stormed through the Australian lineup and picked up three wickets each. While Trent Boult picked up two wickets, Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi ended with one scalp each under their belt.