Australia’s T20 World Cup title defence is off to the worst possible start after the host nation copped an 89-run flogging from New Zealand at the SCG on Saturday night.
The result is crucial to their title hopes, with the Aussies now facing a must-win run through the rest of the group stage to qualify for the finals.
Chasing 201, they were never in the hunt.
But captain Aaron Finch insists Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup defence is not over after one game, despite facing six consecutive must-win matches to defend their crown.
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Attempting to become the first team to win the tournament on home soil, Australia’s campaign got off to a horror start on Saturday night as the Black Caps plundered 3-200 batting first.
Australia could only muster 111 in reply, spun out by Mitchell Santner (3-31) and comprehensively beaten by Tim Southee (3-6) as they were dismissed in just 17.1 overs.
Only Glenn Maxwell passed 20 runs in Australia’s top and middle order with 28, but even his glimmer of a return to form came as the hosts lost wickets at a rapid rate.
The defeat means Australia will likely need to win their last four group games to have any chance of advancing to the semi-finals.
That run will include a tough clash with the No.1-ranked England on Friday night in Melbourne, as well as Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Perth plus Ireland and Afghanistan in the next fortnight.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Even victories in all those matches may not be enough for Aaron Finch’s men if results go against them, after their net run rate copped a hammering in the heavy defeat.
“You still have to be positive,” Finch said after the match.
“We still back ourselves that we can win four and we need a bit of luck along the way.
“We still feel as though we’ve got the right structure of team and the right players to win the World Cup.
“But obviously it has taken a big hit today.”
David Warner departed early in comical circumstances when the ball ricocheted off his body onto his bat then dragged back onto the stumps for five.
The struggling Finch made just 13, while Mitchell Marsh (16), Maxwell (28) and Tim David (11) also threatened to get going but also quickly came unstuck.
Marcus Stoinis (seven) and Matthew Wade (two) fell cheaply and the tail went down swinging as Australia were bowled out for a paltry 111.
Summing up the match was a jaw-dropping catch on the boundary from Glenn Phillips to remove Stoinis, the Black Cap immedately turning to a stunned contingent of Australian fans to celebrate.
Earlier, New Zealand pounded their way to 3-200 in their World Cup opener at the SCG.
Opener Devon Conway smashed 92 not out from 58 balls, as no Australian bowler was spared in the Black Caps’ assault after Finch won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Josh Hazlewood was the hosts’ best with 2-41 but still went at over 10 per over, while Mitchell Starc (0-36), Pat Cummins (0-46) and Adam Zampa (1-39) were all expensive.
Conway was the main destroyer, with his unbeaten 92 helping the Black Caps to their highest total in a T20 World Cup match.
Devon Conway. (Photo by Jason McCawley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Australia have a habit of trying to adopt Kiwi stars called Finn, and they might try to claim New Zealand’s hard-hitting opener Finn Allen as their own.
Just like Tim and Neil Finn in the 1980s, Allen took centre stage at the SCG with a brilliant performance, which was music to the ears of the Black Caps at the SCG.
The rising star blasted 42 off just 16 deliveries in a whirlwind performance to kick off the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup, and Australia never recovered to go down to their Trans-Tasman rivals in the worst possible start to their title defence.
The right-hander hit Starc for a big six over midwicket and two other boundaries in the opening over, as Australia’s danger man missed his yorker length.
New Zealand’s 0-29 off two overs was Australia’s most costly start in World Cup history, Cummins and Stoinis also getting belted over the boundary when they joined the attack.
Conway finished with nine boundaries, as he took to Adam Zampa and brought up his 50 off 36 balls with one of two sixes he hit off the legspinner.
He also looked comfortable against the quicks, driving both Hazlewood and Cummins with ease.
Hazlewood at least stunted the Black Caps’ momentum slightly when he had Glenn Phillips caught and bowled, while Zampa got the key wicket of Kane Williamson for 23.
“I have to give a lot of credit to Finn and the way he played,” player of the match Conway said of his opening partner.
“The way he put them under pressure allowed me to get those balls that were slightly looser.
“In T20 cricket if you put bowlers under pressure, no matter how good they are, it’s a tough gig.”
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Capitulation of a nation? Geez fellas, I prefer to blame the 11 on the field when we lose. On the other hand, when we win, it naturally proves the innate superiority conferred by holding Australian citizenship.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'm perplexed, I'm wondering how my love of cricket, tennis, hockey and football fits into that narrow band I'm supposed to be part
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I accidentally ate 6 Dylan albums when l was schooboy
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Late to this but watched the entire thing and was impressed by the Black Caps tenacity with the bat; fantastic start from Allen and great call to include him in Sydney. Thought they left a few runs out there but 200 was a solid effort. Santner and Boult bowled well and some inspired fielding supported the bowlers, Phillips' catch epitomizing that effort. Southee was outstanding. Australian bowlers lacked penetration early and Starc copped it. He came back okay and Hazlewood was dependable but they all leaked too many runs. Not sure how Finch keeps his gig with Green in the wings. Tough day for the hosts and it won't get much easier with that run rate; even if they win all their remaining games there is chance they won't make it out of the group...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Stop it Shakespeare...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
We’ve been really dreadful on Ozzie soil in recent years This is the point here for mine. Not necessarily the monkey off the back but a positive step down that path; needs to replicated in ODI's and then Tests. Net run rate could be huge in this group with the Black Caps, Australia and now Sri Lanka vying for that 2nd spot, assuming England continues their progress. The Brits look a good balanced side...
Simoc
Roar Rookie
It's pretty unusual for the whole team to crash. Maxwell got a start but couldn't be bothered to do the hard yards. Just wanted to show us that his backbone is out of sync with the A grade talent he has. I think going at 10 an over may be the norm at some grounds like Perth, Sydney while 8 an over may be the norm in Melbourne. Luckily we have the guys to do the job. Against NZ they didn't bring a plan in. Just another game and go through the motions, bowl tight, bat long. That failed. There looked to be a lack of intensity compared to what we're seeing from the others. But our best game is enough to beat the others. Most of them, Warner, Smith, Finch, Maxwell won't get another look in the future so this is it for the old boys. Hopefully Bailey is soon replaced as selection Chair. Gotta make every game a grand final though I think we may be able to lose one more and still get there. I'de prefer Smith to captain and play the remaining games because he is capable of turning the strike over each ball he faces. We have the strike power guys all who scored failure in Sydney so they need to turn it on now. Someone at the top has to stay in. I'll back them!
Milo
Roar Rookie
Agree re poms but I hope we get beaten by the Afghanis too. Think its the only way we are going to get some real review of the team and selectors.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Hi Homer. I would have thought so too. But no Choppy went about unbanned. Choppy doesn't have a band. He's like the guys from INXS
Homer Gain
Guest
I presume you were banned under your Choppy Cleal moniker?
13th Man
Roar Rookie
You don't need to be anywhere near the inner sanctum to see what's right in front of you. A boys club with zero selection accountability.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I snorted my coffee reading that. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Ball Burster
Roar Rookie
Rowdy, all team selections now need to go through Paddy's office (located in the Tiberius Suites in Macquarie Street) for sign off. I also understand he sought an assurance from CA that he be provided advance copies of all commentators' ball by ball calls for his review.
Jb
Guest
Didn't realise you were in the inner sanctum hero
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
A paucity of scores sees a scarcity of results.
Republican
Guest
Thats a predictable Kiwi response, the old chestnut that attempts to attribute any 'international' deficiency on Australia's part, to our patronage for our great indigenous code. Is this because NZ covet our great game, (since you've never invented anything remotely NZ in this regard) or simply because we are far less enamoured with your nations unhealthy obsession for the Albion code ie Union? NZ is more homogenous in its patronage for Rugby, a pseudo international code at best and arguably a leech on your nations true potential to excel at other sports, moreso than we are over our support for Australian Rules Footy (not AFL as you prefer to refer to it). The USA do just fine on the international stage, despite their 3 x home grown codes. Australia competes effectively across a raft of truly international sports, as does NZ, despite our passion for Australian Rules Footy, which often enhance and compliment our broad sporting pedigree. The changing brand choices available to a dynamic multi cultural diaspora, is influencing the grass roots support to shift away from the more traditional codes i.e. Cricket. NZ are also feeling this pain in regards to their beloved Rugby Union. Rugby League is currently staging its own WC in England, so League is nothing like Australian Rules in terms of domestic status, since its origins are in Mother Albion. I fully expect NZ to take the WC League title, especially since they have an Ozzie coach with the code being fostered by Australia for decades now. I can't help but ask whether or not you will celebrate their significant feat if they do Michael?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Run-Scoring is a variety?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Never ever write off the minnows sacred and long held tradition for a complete meltdown and collapse in Australia. It's what true cricket fans long for.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Poor NSW getting blamed for everything. Let's all stop this NSW hate and go back to blaming the state who is entirely responsible: Queensland
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Ouch waiting two hours for food then seeing a rat foot in your jus before you catch salmonella is still better than that game