Australia won the toss but history will show the decision to send New Zealand in to bat on a flat SCG wicket was the wrong one in their T20 World Cup opener.
Beaten in every facet of the game, Australia was on the back foot from the opening over as Mitchell Starc was smashed for 14 and hit for a six and two boundaries.
Matches, World Cup ones particularly, are often won in the opening overs. It sets the tone.
As Aaron Finch said, New Zealand “got the jump on us”. Indeed they did, and they never recovered as New Zealand sealed a famous 89-run win, which was set up by Devon Conway (92 not out off 58), who played beautifully and chose his moments to pounce.
Conway’s timing and shot selection was complemented by his opener partner, Finn Allen who creamed 42 off 16 to shock Australia.
Here are our player ratings from the massive loss, which has Australia in danger of not making the…
