The Black Caps have started the T20 World Cup in style.
Devon Conway Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand handed hosts, defending champions and trans-Tasman rivals Australia a thumping 89-run defeat at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night.
It was the Black Caps first win against Australia in Australia for almost 11 years.
Sent into bat after losing the toss, impressive knocks from opening pair Devon Conway led the Black Caps to a lofty total of 200-3.
Conway continued his red-hot form, batting through the innings to belt 92 from just 58 balls.
Up-and-comer Allen more than justified the selection call to put him at the top ahead of Martin Guptill, taking to the Australian bowlers in a brutal innings of 42 from only 16.
Jimmy Neesham hit 26 off 13 after joining Conway at the end, including a six from the final ball to take New Zealand through to 200.
Captain Kane Williamson contributed 23 from 23.
"I have to give a lot of credit to the way Finn played, because the way he played and the way he put them under pressure allowed me to get those balls that were slightly looser," Conway said.
"In T20 cricket, if you put bowlers under pressure, no matter how good you are, it's obviously a tough gig.
"Serious effort from him today," he added. "Nice and calm, nice and relaxed and focused at the same time. Special knock for him, hit the ball really cleanly and put the bowlers under serious pressure."
Glenn Phillips celebrates taking a catch Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Australia never really looked like threatening their target as a clincial Black Caps bowling and fielding performance had the home side all out for just 111 in the 18th over.
Not only did New Zealand hold all their catches, including a brilliant diving effort in the deep from Glenn Phillips, every bowler used picked up at least one wicket.
Experienced seamer Tim Southee and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner led the way with three wickets each, with Southee conceeding just six runs from his 2.1 overs.
New-ball partner Trent Boult took 2-24 from his four, while leg-spinner Ish Sodhi (1-29) and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson (1-20) also did their part to keep the hosts required run-rate climbing.
The Black Caps last win on Australian soil was their seven-run victory in the 2011 test match in Hobart.
There had been 14 losses and one draw in the 11 years since.
New Zealand's next World Cup match was against Afghanistan at the MCG in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
"Nothing changes for us," said Conway. "We've got a process that we try and stick to, every game is another game.
"We've just got to make got focus on the things that we can control and take each day as it comes. We don't look too far into the future ... we just box smart and look forward to the next match in Melbourne."
Meanwhile England scored a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in Perth courtesy of seamer Sam Curran's haul of 5-10 and a sublime effort in the field.
Afghanistan crumbled to 112 all out in 19.4 overs after being sent in to bat. Ibrahim Zadran (32) and Usman Ghani (30) provided the only resistance before falling to Curran, who claimed his career-best figures in 3.4 overs.
England chased down the modest target with 11 balls to spare, reaching 113-5 and maintaining their unblemished record at Perth Stadium after three visits.
-RNZ/Reuters
