‘Disastrous’: Australia embarrassed by trans-Tasman rivals in heavy defeat

Australia has suffered a heavy defeat against their trans-Tasman rivals, and there are glaring issues ahead of a T20 World Cup.

Aaron Finch of Australia.

Australia has crumbled to an embarrassing 53-run defeat in Christchurch as New Zealand cruised to a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20 series.

New Zealand batsman Devon Conway put on a batting masterclass on Monday evening, smacking an unbeaten 99 to help the Black Caps recover from an early scare.

In response, the Australian batsmen suffered an embarrassing collapse in the run chase, raising serious concerns ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup.

It was the first time New Zealand has defeated Australia in a T20 match since 2016, and Australia’s fifth-heaviest defeat in the 20-over format.

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Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to bowl first, with young gun Josh Philippe named to make his international debut.

Meanwhile, there was no room in the starting XI for Australia’s newest millionaire, Riley Meredith.

The Hobart Hurricanes paceman was picked up in Thursday’s IPL auction for the seven-figure sum, becoming the most expensive uncapped player in the competition’s history.

Congratulations to Josh Philippe, who becomes the 96th player to represent Australia in men's T20 Internationals!

He was presented his cap by Mitch Marsh ahead of tonights first #NZvAUS Twenty20 in Christchurch! pic.twitter.com/tsTuWEV955

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) February 22, 2021

The Black Caps innings started poorly, with veteran opening batsman Martin Guptill removed by Aussie paceman Daniel Sams for a duck, caught at point.

Guptill has not mustered a half-century in the 20-over format since 2019.

The hosts were then in dire straits when fellow opener Tim Seifert was bowled by a stunning yorker from Perth Scorchers star Jhye Richardson for one.

New Zealand suddenly found themselves at 3/19 when Sams dismissed skipper Kane Williamson in the fourth over, edging through to the wicketkeeper for 12.

Plenty of pressuring piling up on 34-year-old Martin Guptill, who hasn't scored a T20 half-century since 2019. But the Black Caps' other, young Tim Seifert worth keeping an eye on. Aussies have done their homework on his laps, ramps and big bag of batting tricks. #NZvAUS

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) February 22, 2021

Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips combined for a game-changing 74-run partnership to dig the New Zealanders out of a hole in Christchurch.

Conway brought up his third international half-century in just 36 balls — becoming the first New Zealand cricketer to score five consecutive fifties in T20s.

Kiwi all-rounder Jimmy Neesham provided fans with an entertaining cameo (26 off 15) before Richardson returned to claim his second scalp of the match.

Australia’s death bowling was cause for concern, with the lack of consistency and variation blatantly evident.

The visitors were eventually set a target of 185 for victory, with Conway stranded on 99 not out — the left-hander struck 10 boundaries and three sixes in his classy knock.

Conway needed two runs off the final delivery to reach triple figures, but could only manage a single after cracking a low full toss from towards a boundary rider.

“It took a bit of time getting used to the pace of the wicket upfront,” Conway said.

“I felt it was a little bit sticky and the bounce was quite steep. It got a lot better as time went on. The key was to stay positive throughout. When I am positive, that is when I am at my best.”

Conway is ridiculously good.

— Peter Borren (@dutchiepdb) February 22, 2021

That was one hell of a knock by Devon Conway #NZvAUS - deserved a century.

— K Vaitheeswaran (@vaitheek) February 22, 2021

The Australian run chase started horrifically, with the visitors losing four cheap wickets in the Powerplay at Hagley Oval.

After Finch was removed for just one, Aussie debutant Josh Philippe was dismissed for two when a leading edge off Tim Southee’s bowling gifted a simple catch.

Opening batsman Matthew Wade managed to slap a mammoth six in the fourth over before carving a catch to the mid-off fielder, handing swing bower Trent Boult a second wicket.

To rub salt into the wounds, Southee then found the outside edge of Glenn Maxwell’s bat, with the T20 powerhouse making his way back to the sheds for just one.

Former Test batsman Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket: “This is looking disastrous for the Australians.”

Mitchell Marsh of Australia.

Stoinis struggled to discover any momentum with the bat, and was cheaply dismissed by spinner Ish Sodhi caught and bowled for eight.

West Australian duo Mitch Marsh and Ashton Agar combined for a damaging 43-run partnership to keep the match alive.

But when Marsh and Daniel Sams were removed in quick succession, the final result was no longer in doubt.

Australia was eventually bowled out for 131, with only one batsman in the top six passing 12 — No. 11 batsman Adam Zampa mustered the side’s third-highest score with 13 not out.

The second T20 between New Zealand and Australia will take place in Dunedin on Thursday afternoon.