New Zealand's Devon Conway has paid tribute to opening partner Finn Allen for taking on Australia's vaunted pace attack, as the Blackcaps romped to an 89-run victory Twenty20 World Cup.
Conway highscored with an unbeaten 92, but he felt Allen's 16-ball 42 in his first international against Australia had put the home quicks Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins firmly on the back foot.
"I have to give a lot of credit to the way Finn played, because the way he put them under pressure allowed me to get those balls that were slightly looser," said the South African-born lefthander.
"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."
With inform England also in Super 12 Group 2 and only the top two progressing to the semi-finals, victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground was a major boost to New Zealand hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
"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."
Losing finalists at Dubai last year, New Zealand face Afghanistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, before matches against Sri Lanka, England and Ireland.
Join us at 9pm Wednesday for live updates of the Blackcaps v Afghanistan T20 World Cup pool clash
