Australia lost against New Zealand by 89 runs to begin their ICC T20 World Cup 2022 campaign.

In their 20 overs, New Zealand scored a massive 200/3. Opener Finn Allen hit 42 off 16 balls, including five fours and three sixes, to help his team reach 50 runs in less than four overs.

Devon Conway and Kane Williamson (23) put on a 69-run second-wicket stand. New Zealand reached 200/3 in 20 overs thanks to Conway’s brilliant 92 not out and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham’s entertaining cameo of 26 off 13 balls.

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Josh Hazlewood was Australia’s standout bowler, taking 2/41 in four overs. Spinner Adam Zampa picked up 1/39 in his four overs as well.

Australia’s batting proved to be extremely disappointing in pursuit of 201. Pacer Tim Southee (3/6), spinner Mitchell Santner (3/31), and pacer Trent Boult (2/24) all took consistent wickets against the defending champions’ batting lineup. Ish Sodhi and Lockie Ferguson also took wickets.

Australia was bowled out for 111 in 17.1 overs, losing by 89 runs. Only Glenn Maxwell (28 runs) and Pat Cummins (21 runs) scored more than 20 runs.

With this victory, the Kiwis have moved to the top of the points table with two points, while Australia has none. New Zealand had a memorable day, outclassing both the defending champions and their arch-rivals in every department.

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Following are some interesting statistics from the match:

1) This was Australia’s first home loss to their archrivals in white-ball cricket since February 2009. The Kiwis had last won a white-ball match, an ODI against Australia during the Chappell Hadlee Trophy in February 2009. They had to wait more than 13 years for their next white-ball victory over the Aussies in Australia. Following their loss to the Kiwis, Australia set two more records.

2) Australia’s 89-run defeat is their largest ever in T20 World Cup history. Their previous tournament record was a 74-run defeat to West Indies in 2012. Kenya’s 172-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 is the largest loss in ICC T20 World Cup history.

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4) Australia’s 111-run total is their lowest at home in the shortest format. Their previous lowest T20I score at home was 127 against Pakistan in February 2010. The Australians’ all-time lowest T20I score is 62, which they recorded against Bangladesh in Mirpur in August 2021.

5) Tim Southee broke the record for most T20I wickets. He’s recently realised he can’t keep bowling the same ball over and over. He required variety. So a man who previously used a change of pace only as a last resort (only 8% of his overs between 2008 and 2017) is now completely committed to them. Since 2018, he has bowled his off cutters alone 11% more often. One of them delivered the crucial Marsh wicket to New Zealand.