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New Zealand smashed Australia by 53 runs in the 1st T20I of the 5 match series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Devon Conway scored an unbeaten 99 off 59 deliveries, just missing the opportunity for a last-ball hundred as New Zealand posted 184/5 in 20 overs.
In reply, the visitors top order crumpled as Australia was all out for 131 in 17.3 overs. Out of form captain Aaron Finch (1), debutant Josh Philippe (2), wicketkeeper batsman Matthew Wade (12), and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (1) were all dismissed in the first 5 overs.
Kiwi pacers Trent Boult (2/22) and Tim Southee (2/10) run through Australia’s batting order, leaving them 19/4. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh (45) his top score in the T20 format, while Ashton Agar contributed 23 runs. However, it wasn’t enough to take their side over the finish line.
Earlier, the NZ too gets in trouble after losing three wickets for 19 inside 4 overs. Then, Conway and Glenn Phillips (30) steadied the ship and added a crucial 74-run partnership for the 4th wicket before Marcus Stoinis (1/17) removed Phillips.
On the other hand, Conway kept on scoring runs from the other end to make sure Black Caps crosses the 180-run benchmark. He smashed 10 fours and 3 sixes in his brilliant knock.
Congrats NZ on a wonderful win, totally outplayed Australia in all departments. We know it’s experiment time over there for the Aussies – but still an extremely odd batting order as most people batted out of position !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 22, 2021
Conway brilliant, double pressure for the Australia batting line up now, tough score and also proving a point for spots for the up coming T20 WC. #NZvAUS
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) February 22, 2021
Devon Conway is just 4 days late, but what a knock 👏👏👏 #AUSvNZ
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 22, 2021
Crowds 👀 😍 https://t.co/64uVoQe4YD
— Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (@Danni_Wyatt) February 22, 2021
That's a hat-trick! 🎩 #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/F4VqFfdq0q
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 22, 2021
Most consecutive innings without a duck in Men's T20Is:
84* – MS Dhoni
71* – David Miller
69 – Martin Guptill (Streak ended today)#NZvAUS— ESPNcricinfo stats (@ESPNcric_stats) February 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/RohitianShubham/status/1363765329197899780
One of the great NZ innings from Conway. 99 Not out, and half of it with one hand. #NZvAUS
— Scotty Stevenson (@sumostevenson) February 22, 2021
Devon Conway's last three T20 innings: 91*, 93*, 99*
He remained unsold at his base price of INR 50 lakh in the #IPL2021Auction 👀#NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/vXcgCAqNR0
— Wisden Asia (@Wisden_Asia) February 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/SamLandsberger/status/1363786163069153284
Devon Conway finishes 99* 😩
The bloke deserved a ton after a phenomenal innings at the Hagley Oval… pic.twitter.com/3BBfV23hZP
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 22, 2021
And New Zealand wins the first T20 by 53 runs #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/89QVmHBKOr
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) February 22, 2021
