AUS vs NZ LIVE: Who will replace Devon Conway in New Zealand’s playing XI vs Australia? – Kane Williamson will have a massive headache as he looks to decide on his playing XI for the T20 World Cup final against Australia. The Kiwis have been dealt a major injury blow in Devon Conway, who was ruled out with a broken hand. While the Blackcaps do have a replacement ready in Tim Seifert, Williamson will have his task cut out as he looks to fit his jigsaw puzzle before facing the Australians in Dubai.
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Devon Conway has been in fine form for New Zealand ever since his debut for the Blackcaps, and his quality shone during the semi-final against England on Wednesday. The elegant left-hander scored a stunning 46 to anchor the chase, before Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham went berserk to see the team off the line. Conway was frustrated at his dismissal of Liam Livingstone, and punched his bat in frustration, thus injuring his hand which ruled him out of the T20 World Cup final.
New Zealand are set to bring Tim Seifert into the line-up, who will also don the gloves behind the stumps, something Conway had been doing since the game against India. Seifert had assumed the wicketkeeping duties in the opener against Pakistan, but hasn’t played since for the Kiwis.
Conway batted at number four against England but Seifert, who was seventh in the order against Pakistan, would be unlikely to replace his teammate in the higher slot. “Whether we bring Glenn Phillips up one and put Seifert in behind him is something that Kane and I have to work through over the next day or so,” said New Zealand head coach Gary Stead.
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Seifert has batted up the order previously, predominantly opening the batting and slotting in at 3, but that is unlikely to be the case for the T20 World Cup final, especially considering the form of makeshift opener Daryl Mitchell. The right-hander was the star of the show against England scoring an unbeaten 72 to see his team over the line. Williamson at 3 is the glue that holds the team together, and it is unlikely that the Baclkcaps make such a major change for the T20 World Cup final.
Barring Conway, New Zealand have their entirety of the squad available, and Siefert is expected to be the only change to the team that defeated New Zealand in the semi-final. Conway’s injury is a needless headache for Stead and captain Kane Williamson as New Zealand prepare for their first World T20 final against Australia, who defeated Pakistan in fines fashion on Thursday. New Zealand will hope that Tim Siefert can punch above his eight like the rest of the team and play a key role in the final, unlike Conway, who unfortunately punched himself out of the tournament.
Probable New Zealand playing XI vs Australia: Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Adam Milne, Trent Boult.
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