NZ make big statement, crush Australia by 89 runs in Super 12 opener
Sydney, Oct 22: Wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway smashed an unbeaten 92 as New Zealand began the T20 World Cup Super 12 stage in emphatic fashion, thrashing defending champions Australia by 89 runs here on Saturday.
The 31-year-old left-handed opener played some sublime shots as he held the New Zealand innings together in a 58-ball knock, which was studded with seven fours and two sixes and took them to an imposing 200 for three after they were sent in.
Also, not to forget the explosive start given by rising T20 star Finn Allen as he hammered a sensational 16-ball 42.
In reply, Kiwi pacer Tim Southee (2.1-0-6-3) set the tone early on before left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (4-0-31-3) foxed the Aussies with his clever variation to make it a lopsided contest.
The New Zealanders were relentless in attack as Australia folded for 111 in 17.1 overs to suffer their second heaviest T20I defeat in terms of runs.
This was also Australia's first defeat to New Zealand in Australia in any format since 2011.
The Aussies lost half of their side in 10.2 overs after the talented Tim David (11) became Santner's third victim.
Southee cleaned up David Warner in the most unlikely fashion when the left-hander's pull shot ricochetted off the his leg, arm and bat before unsettling the stumps in the second over.
Despite the big setback, the defending champions were quick to regroup as Mitchell Marsh played some exquisite shots, including a stunning six over covers against Santner.
Just when the hosts looked to be getting into the groove with the experienced duo of Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell in the middle, a Superman-like flying catch by Glenn Phillips triggered a collapse.
The boundaries started drying up after Finch and Marsh fell cheaply.
Stoinis looked to attack a wide Santner delivery as Phillips, from the deep cover ran a few yards to his right and dived to complete a blinder.
Australia, without their star batter Steve Smith, looked out of depth.
Earlier, Conway did not go ballistic but his runs came at a good rate and he completed his fifty in 36 balls, with a six off Adam Zampa in the 13th over.
In the process, he became the second fastest player in T20I history after Dawid Malan to score 1,000 runs.
However he failed to complete his maiden century in the format with Jimmy Neesham (26 not out; 13 balls) taking most of the strike at the death to push the total to 200 with a six off the final ball by Josh Hazlewood.
Conway's opening partner Finn Allen fired the opening salvo, as he blasted his way to a 16-ball 42, hitting three sixes and five fours inside the powerplay to give the Kiwis the perfect start after Aaron Finch opted to field.
The 23-year-old Allen showed why he's labelled as the future T20 star as he took the fiery Mitchell Starc head on with two fours and one six, including a clean powerful thump over the mid-on boundary in the first over.
He continued his fury against Pat Cummins, too, as the Aussie veteran fed him with a short-pitched stuff, and Allen happily swivelled him for a six in an over that yielded 17 runs.
The seasoned Conway was content playing the second fiddle with Allen hitting all around the park, as they raced to 56 for no loss inside four overs.
Hazlewood finally gave a breakthrough to the hosts as he yorked Allen in the fifth over to bring an end to his innings, which came at an astonishing strike-rate of 262.5.
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Kerala CM slams Karnataka demolitions, calls it 'bulldozer justice'
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday strongly criticised the reported demolition of Muslim residential areas in Karnataka's capital, calling the action shocking and painful.
In a Facebook post, Vijayan referred to the reported bulldozing of Fakir Colony and Waseem Layout, where Muslim families had been living for many years.
He said the incident reflected a form of minority-targeting politics seen earlier in North India and warned that such practices were now spreading to the South.
The chief minister alleged that entire families were forced out of their homes in harsh winter conditions and pushed onto the streets, leaving them with no choice but to flee.
Vijayan expressed surprise that what he described as "bulldozer justice" was carried out under a Congress-led government in Karnataka.
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He questioned how such forced evictions could be justified by a party that claims to stand for social justice.
He added that governments should take responsibility for protecting the poor, ensuring housing, and preventing people from being driven out of their homes through the use of force.
According to media reports, a demolition drive in Kogilu village at Yelahanka last week pulled down more than 200 houses in Waseem Layout and Fakir Colony.
The operation was reportedly carried out by Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited. Reports said the houses were removed to clear what were described as encroachments on land marked for a proposed waste processing unit.
