Australia vs New Zealand T20 World Cup result: Highlights and analysis as Kiwis run riot in SCG demolition job

New Zealand got their 2022 T20 World Cup campaign off to the perfect start, beating host nation Australia in dominant fashion.

A stunning batting performance saw the Kiwis score 200 runs, a total that Australia never threatened to come close to.

The Sporting News had all the live coverage from Saturday night's clash.

MORE: Cameron Green earns World Cup call-up | All the key stats and scores from the T20 World Cup

Finn Allen goes hard and fast

Overall, it was a brilliant batting effort from New Zealand, but Finn Allen's performance in the early stages stole the show.

Opening for the Kiwis, he scored a stupendous 42 runs off 16 balls, before being dismissed just fours overs into the inning.

The 23-year-old showed no fear at the crease, hitting five fours and three sixes in what was a blistering showing. 

Brilliance from Conway

Arguably even more impressive than Allen's explosive knock was Devon Conway's performance.

Whilst his strike rate (158.62) was considerably less than Allen's (262.5), he led the way for New Zealand throughout their entire inning.

Finishing up at 92 not out, there wasn't much to criticise about the left-hander's performance.

He was comfortable whilst facing both fast and spin bowlers, and Australia ultimately couldn't find a way to stop him.

Australia crumbles in home opener

It was far from an ideal start to the 2022 tournament for Australia, who now face a steep challenge to retain their title on home soil.

An unfortunate and freakish dismissal of David Warner saw the home side get off to a bad start before the wickets kept falling.

A new batter was seemingly coming onto the pitch every couple of overs as New Zealand afforded their opponents little-to-no momentum.

Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins were the only Australian players to score more than 20 runs in what was a lucklustre and highly disappointing evening for the defending champions.

Aside from the loss, the team's poor net run rate will be a major concern as they look to turn things around. 

New Zealand's bowlers all chip in

Whilst Australia's batting line-up was poor across the board, New Zealand's bowling attack was strong across the board.

All five of their bowlers grabbed at least one wicket, with Mitchell Santner starring with three dismissals. 

Such a composed opening match performance from their bowlers will put their side in good stead for the remainder of the tournament.

Australia vs New Zealand T20 World Cup live updates, highlights from the SCG: As it happened

Final score

New Zealand win by 89 runs

18th over: WICKET AND ALL OUT. That'll do it. Hazlewood skies a ball and it's comfortably taken by Conway. A dominant win for New Zealand.

17th over: TWO WICKETS! Boult bowls two Aussie batters - Starc and Zampa - out in quick succession. One wicket to go before the Kiwis secure victory.

16th over: 100 runs! Australia is going for gold and it brings up the team century. Cummins is leading the charge at the moment, smashing a pull-shot six.

15th over: The runs are slowly ticking over for Australia, but they're not even halfway to New Zealand's total. Those early wickets have proved to be very damaging.

14th over: WICKET! Sodhi snags his first wicket of the game, importantly bowling Maxwell out. 

Mitchell Starc joins Cummins to make it an all-bowler batting pairing for Australia.

13th over: WICKET! They just keep falling ... Lockie Ferguson picks up his first dismissal of the night as Wade edges behind to the Kiwi wicketkeeper Conway.

Pat Cummins is next up, with Australia's run chase looking all but over.

12th over: Maxwell is hitting his straps now, hitting a thunderous six off a welcoming Sodhi delivery.

11th over: WICKET! No mucking around from New Zealand who dismiss another Australian batter via a catch. This time, it's David caught on the boundary by Neesham, with Santner picking up his third wicket.

Matthew Wade joins Maxwell out in the middle.

10th over: Spinner Ish Sodhi comes close to a wicket as New Zealand continues to pile the pressure on. It's time for drinks.

9th over: WICKET! Just as the Aussie batters were warming up a bit, Phillips makes a stupendous catch to dismiss Stoinis. Not only did he fly through the air to reach the ball, but he secured it with two hands. Remarkable stuff.

Tim David comes in for the home side.

8th over: 50 runs! Australia eventually reach the half-century off the back of a signature reverse sweep boundary from Maxwell.

7th over: Another economical spin over, this time from Santner. Not much aggression being shown by the Aussies as they look to get a foot-hold.

6th over: A very tidy over from Lockie Ferguson, and that brings an end to the power play.

5th over: ANOTHER WICKET! Australia is crumbling. It's Marsh dismissed this time, caught by Neesham at the boundary after an attempt for six falls just short. Southee picks up his second wicket of the night.

All-rounder Marcus Stoinis is next-up for Australia.

4th over: WICKET! Mitchell Santner takes the wicket of Aaron Finch, with the captain caught by Williamson at cover. Australia sits at a lucklustre 2/30.

Glenn Maxwell is at the crease now.

3rd over: Finch has clicked into gear, hitting a powerful six and well-placed four. 

2nd over: WICKET! A huge early scalp for New Zealand, with Tim Southee bowling Warner out in bizarre circumstances. A freak ricochet off Warner's body and bat sees the ball crash into the stumps. 

Mitch Marsh comes in for the home side.

1st over: Early chance! A thick edge from Warner takes the ball just wide of second slip. A nervy start for the Aussie opener... And a great early spell from Trent Boult.

START OF INNINGS: David Warner and Aaron Finch are out to bat for Australia as they attempt to chase a demanding total.

END OF INNINGS: A blistering 20 overs of cricket from New Zealand puts them in a very strong position halfway through this group-stage match.

It will take a special effort from Australia to win from here, but it's certainly not out of the question.

20th over: 200 runs! A six from Neesham on the final delivery gets the visitors to a big total, as Glenn Maxwell kicks the boundary rope out of frustration.

19th over: Chance! Conway plays a lazy hook shot which falls just short of a diving Stoinis in the field.

18th over: Neesham shows no fear, smashing a six from his second delivery faced. Some good running from the Kiwi duo, too, as they push for every last run.

17th over: Nine runs from Stoinis' last over, as the run rate begins to shrink.

16th over: WICKET! Hazlewood bowls a wide on his sixth delivery, but it ended up working in his favour. Phillips skies the next delivery and is caught and bowled by the Aussie paceman.

James Neesham comes in for New Zealand with four overs remaining and 150 runs on the board.

15th over: More aggression from Conway who moves to 69 runs with a nice selection of shots. That's also the end of Zampa's spell tonight, who finishes with 1/39.

14th over: Phillips gets off the mark with a quick boundary off Cummins.

13th over: WICKET! Williamson challenges the call, but he is deemed out via LBW off a good delivery by Zampa. An important wicket for Australia to disrupt their opponent's flow.

Glenn Phillips is at the crease now for New Zealand.

12th over: No boundaries this over, but the runs keep ticking over for the visitors.

11th over: 100 runs! No mucking around from Williamson, hitting his first six of the night off the first ball after the break. Another expensive over for the Aussies.

10th over: It's time for drinks. New Zealand is sitting pretty and on pace for a strong run total. 200 is not out of the question.

9th over: Challenge! Zampa appeals to the umpire for an LBW, and captain Finch opts to challenge the call. Although the ball hits Conway's pads before his bat, Hawkeye shows the ball traveling over the stumps.

8th over: Stoinis' pace variation pays dividends, with just seven runs conceded from the over. New Zealand is still in a strong position, however.

7th over: With the power play over, it's time for some spin bowling, with Adam Zampa brought into the action. Nine runs from the over.

6th over: Cummins slows down the tempo of the game with a tidy over. End of the power play.

5th over: WICKET! A big dismissal, with Allen clean-bowled by Hazlewood. The Kiwi opener scored a rapid 42 runs in a stunning statement that has come to an early end.

Kane Williamson is in for New Zealand now.

4th over: 50 runs! New Zealand brings up the half-century after just 23 balls. A change in the bowling department hasn't helped Australia, with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis the latest to be hit for six. 

3rd over: Chance! A slower ball from Pat Cummins sees Allen play a sloppy hook shot, but Adam Zampa couldn't secure it in the field. A difficult, but catchable, opportunity. 

Allen goes on to make Australia pay by smacking a six two balls later.

2nd over: Josh Hazlewood begins his spell and concedes a four off his first delivery. Conway and Allen are looking equally confident at the crease for the visitors, smashing 15 runs off the over.

1st over: A ripping start from Kiwi batter Finn Allen, who hits a four and crunches a six in the opening over. Mitchell Starc is bowling full and New Zealand has taken immediate advantage of it.

5 mins to start: The teams are out and its time for the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.

15 mins to start: Overcast conditions in Sydney, and the rain is ominous. The match is still set to begin on time, however.

30 mins to start: Australia's captain Aaron Finch has won the toss and has elected to field first.

45 mins to start: Steve Smith (Australia) and Martin Guptill (New Zealand) have not been selected in their nation's respective starting line-ups for this match.

1 hour to start: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of this T20 World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand.

With the group stage complete, tonight's game marks the beginning of the Super 12 stage, with two groups of six nations to battle it out for a spot in the semi-finals.

A bumper crowd is expected at the Sydney Cricket Ground for this evening's clash despite the chance of rain.

Australia vs New Zealand T20 World Cup full scorecard

New Zealand innings

Australia bowling

Australia innings

New Zealand bowling

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