In
short period of time Devon Conway has become New Zealand’s go to man, along
with Kane Williamson and Tom Latham he forms the core of the batting of the
team. In the ongoing T20 World Cup also a lot will depend on his success to
ensure how far New Zealand can go in the tournament on Australian shores
Devon Conway - Within a short span of time he has become New Zealand's key player
In 2017, Devon Conway left South Africa for New
Zealand, selling all his assets, to start a new life in a new country. Conway
who in his words had taken a gamble by selling his car, his three bedroom house
in Bedfordview and using all his savings to move to New Zealand. While the desire
to play cricket remain intact but the doubt for the future simmered in front of
him.
Conway approached Cricket Wellington for joining
them and the association was happy to welcome him on board. With it Conway
started his domestic career and a journey to play international cricket for New
Zealand. The journey however have not been an easy one, he has to wrestle the
challenges both on and off the field. On the field he started to create a name
for himself by his consistency while off the field he has to ensure to comply
all the formalities of immigration.
In 2017-18, Conway made 238 runs at an average of
39.66, but the next year he took run chart by storm making 659 runs in 7 matches
at a sensational average of 82.37. He notched up 203* against Otago at Basin
Reserve. In 2019-20, he plundered 701 runs at an average of 82.37 in just 6
matches. During the season he notched up his first triple ton a 327* against
Canterbury, the innings led his New Zealand call certain, the only requirement
was to fulfill the criteria of representing New Zealand.
The hunger and committed towards Wellington didn’t
diminished at all, after finishing as the highest run getter in all three
formats, came the much anticipated debut against West Indies in November 2020.
The Test and ODI debut came in the subsequent year. His Test debut became a
memorable one as he hit a double hundred against England, something he will savor
for remaining of his career.
In two years of his career with New Zealand, Conway has
become an integral cog in team’s batting line up. He has played 10 Tests and has
scored 918 runs at 51; he has also notched up 3 hundred and 4 fifties during
this duration. In One day Internationals he has made 363 runs in 9 matches at
40.33. While in the shortest format, he has scored 1033 runs in 29 games at an
astonishing average of 57.38. It is
clearly evident that he is an all format player who wants to make up for all
the lost time.
Post retirement of key players, New Zealand have
looked at him to ease burden on Kane Williamson and Tom Latham and in his short
career he has not disappointed the team and fans. In the ongoing T20 World Cup
New Zealand has started strongly winning 2 out of 3 games by commanding margin.
In the first game against Australia, Conway made a blistering 92 runs of just
58 balls, an innings that gave his side a winning side in the world cup. New
Zealand lost the finals against same side in 2021 edition of T20 World Cup and
hence a winning start was very important.
Conway has been a team man, to provide more
flexibility and options to the team, he accepted to wicket keeping which gives
team an option to play extra bowler. He has always been a team man which could
be clearly be seen from his batting positions. He has opened the innings,
batted at no.3 and in middle order.
New Zealand has started very well in the ongoing
world cup but they need more from Conway if they have to break the hoodoo of
losing the finals (2015, 2019, and 2021).
Post World Cup New Zealand will be playing against
Pakistan (2 Tests in Pakistan) 2 Tests against England (in New Zealand) and 2
against Sri Lanka (in New Zealand). While Current Test World Cup Champions lag
far behind in 2021-2023 edition of Test Championship but a consistent run of
performance would give them lot of confidence for the future. Conway’s
consistency will be very important. In Pakistan he would love to prove his Test
credentials in Asia.
Then by the end of the year, The 50 over World Cup
will take place in India. New Zealand would be keen to erase the memory of the
painful end of the previous World Cup in 2019.
For Conway he would be centre of all the schemes of
New Zealand in next 12 months and if he can meet the expectations, New Zealand
would end up on glorious summit.
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