The Super 12 stage of the 20-20 World Cup got off to a grand start on Saturday as hosts Australia went head to head with Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground. New Zealand happily accepted the invitation to bat first by the Australian captain Aaron Finch as both openers looked determined to give an electrifying start.
New Zealand shifted to the topmost gear right from the word go as Finn Allen gave went berserk scoring a quick-fire 42 off 16 balls. His innings was studded with five fours and three sixes. Allen’s opening partner Devon Conway also looked in great touch as he played a breathtaking knock of 92 off just 58 balls to take New Zealand to a mammoth total of 200.
Jimmy Neesham also did a fine job finishing the innings in style by smashing a massive blow against Josh Hazlewood on the final ball of the innings. He remained unbeaten on 26 off 13 with the help of two sixes. The Australian bowling looked helpless in front of the Kiwi show with all the bowlers being taken to the cleaners. Josh Hazlewood picked up two wickets for 41 runs in his four overs while Adam Zampa also added one wicket to his tally.
Australia‘s chase got off to a forgettable start losing star opener David Warner in just the second over of the innings. Captain Aaron Finch tried his best to keep his side in the hunt but he couldn’t continue for long as he was removed by Mitchell Santner in the fourth over. Tim Southee further made things worse for the hosts as he got rid of in-form Mitchell Marsh in the next over.
Australia were in all sorts of trouble after Glenn Philips’ marvellous catch at deep extra cover to dismiss Marcus Stoinis which left Australia reeling at 50/4 after 8.2 overs. Australian chase was completely derailed by the Kiwi bowlers who kept on picking wickets in quick succession. Glenn Maxwell tried his best to give his team some chance, however, it was too much work left to be done by a single man.
Ish Sodhi removed Maxwell to draw curtains on Australia’s chase. Tailenders came out swinging at everything as victory kept running away from Australia with every ball.
Australia were all out for 111 in just 17.1 overs handing a massive 89-run-victory to New Zealand. Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner were the chief destroyers of Australia who picked up three wickets each. Trent Boult also chipped in with a couple of wickets. Devon Conway was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his incredible knock.
Here’s how Twitter reacted after Australia were blown away by New Zealand in their opening match:
Make 200 runs and ask @cricketcomau to chase and they will shit in their backyard, what a crushing and utter annihilating defeat from a team that has always been a dark horse.#AUSvsNZ
— Ritik Rawat (@RitikRawat_7) October 22, 2022
according to kirkut expert @cricketaakash this is the biggest upset of #T20WC2022 that aus lost from NZ …🤣🤣 Don't mess with the captain Kane ❤️ Well done kiwis 👍 #NZvsAUS #AUSvsNZ
— Shree (@shrikant_ef) October 22, 2022
Can never rule out New Zealand
They played smart cricket today against hosts Australia
Losing by 89 runs is super bad Aussies #AUSvsNZ #T20WorldCup #T20worldcup22— Karen Noronha 🇮🇳 (@Karen_noronha09) October 22, 2022
Annnnddddd…. The Mighty Australia has fell and how?
It's 111 finish for the black caps.#ICCT20WC #AUSvsNZ— Abhinav Kaushik (@_b_a_b_a_1607) October 22, 2022
Some allround performances from the black caps to snatch away the first win of the super 12s! The man who changed the game imo is Finn Alenn, man had already done enough damage to be recovered! Some miraculous fielding out there too. Congratulations NZ!🇳🇿#AUSvsNZ
— M🧁 (@testcricfreak) October 22, 2022
LOLtralia lost by 89 runs
What a drubbing they have got in an opener,
NZ is giant in ICC Trophy and yet they are showing us again.
Be Scared Indians be very scared. #t20worldcup #AUSvNZ #AUSvsNZ
— Yashraj (@yashhitange) October 22, 2022
90 run defeat 😳😳
My goodness. Kiwis just thrashed their reputation. This defeat can haunt their chances of qualification.
What a day for Williamson and Co.🔥#AUSvsNZ— Amit (@Amity4116) October 22, 2022
Kiwis you beauty..what a win !!!#AUSvNZ #AUSvsNZ #T20WorldCup #T20worldcup22
— Raza.H (@razahaidery90) October 22, 2022
A heavy defeat to home team😂#AUSvsNZ
— ítz me xàdí (@me_xadi) October 22, 2022
That's an humiliating defeat. Embarrassing to say the least from The Aussies. #AUSVSNZ
— Saket Patel. (@runsandrunss) October 22, 2022
Done & dusted #AUSvsNZ
— Mohit Sharma (@Krishnamohitt) October 22, 2022
Hell yeah New Zealand! Don’t just beat the Aussies but also fuck up their net run rate. It’s gonna be hilarious if the hosts get knocked out before others. It’s not an easy group anyway. Always a pleasure when these kangaroos lose lmao. #AUSvNZ #AUSvsNZ #T20WorldCup2022
— CinemaCl🎃wn (@cinemaclown) October 22, 2022
