T20 World Cup: After the first round of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022, the second round started on Saturday. It started with the rematch of the last edition’s final between New Zealand and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Blackcaps, who came after losing the tri-series to Pakistan, performed brilliantly. In fact, they thrashed the defending champions by 89 runs to announce to everyone that they are also among the front runners to win the tournament.
New Zealand lost the toss and batted first. They had a great start, with star opener Finn Allen making his intentions clear with the very first over. He smashed a quick 42 runs off just 16 balls and added 56 runs for the first wicket with Devon Conway in just 4.1 overs. Conway, on the other hand, kept the scoring rate ticking and added 69 runs with New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (23) for the second wicket.
The left-hander reached his seventh T20I fifty and remained unbeaten till the very last over. He was unfortunate that he missed a well-deserved century by 8 runs. Conway made 92* off 58 balls, hitting seven boundaries and two maximums. James Neesham played an unbeaten cameo of 26* from 13 balls with two sixes to end the innings. New Zealand made 200/3 in their first innings.
Watch: Glenn Philips took the “Catch of the Tournament” against Australia
In the second innings, the hosts had a rusty start with the unlucky dismissal of David Warner (4). Skipper Aaron Finch also got out after 13 runs, and Mitchell Marsh (16) also couldn’t do much. The whole Australia side got dismissed in 17.1 overs for 111 runs. New Zealand were good with the ball and in fielding as well in the second innings. However, the “catch of the tournment” came in the ninth over of the innings.
It was Mitchell Santner who bowled that over and Marcus Stoinis was batting at 7 off 14. The spinner bowled an over-pitched delivery and the batter saw the chance and tried to hit the ball for six through inside-out. But the ball took the inside-edge and went in the air. Glenn Philips, who was fielding at the boundary line, ran towards the ball to complete an incredible diving catch.
Everyone on the ground was surprised and shocked to see the effort from Philips. The commentators also called it the “Catch of the Tournament,” and the fans were in awe of watching it live. In the end, Australia suffered an 89-run loss. This will surely hurt them in terms of the NRR. The defending champions will have to rethink their plans now because they have some tough teams to face. One more loss will shut the doors for them.