devon conway

New Zealand vs USA Warm-up: Seifert Unleashes Firepower Before World Cup

by

New Zealand

Warm-up match, red-hot intent — New Zealand mean business.

Table of Contents

Match Overview

New Zealand locked horns with the United States of America in the 14th warm-up match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 5, 2026.
With the main tournament approaching fast, both teams treated this clash as a vital dress rehearsal under match-like pressure.

Toss & Pitch Report

USA won the toss and chose to bowl first, banking on a flat surface and the expected dew factor to assist chasing later.
The pitch promised runs, and New Zealand’s batters wasted no time proving it.

New Zealand Batting Highlights

Openers Devon Conway and Tim Seifert gave New Zealand a blazing start. Conway announced intent early with a towering six over deep mid-wicket, while Seifert found boundaries with ease.

Conway’s stay ended in the 4th over, caught by Shubham Ranjane off Saurabh Netravalkar, scoring 16 runs off 13 balls (2 fours, 1 six). New Zealand stood at 41/1.

Mark Chapman joined Seifert and kept the momentum alive before being bowled by Mohammad Mohsin for 17 runs at 92/2 in 8.3 overs.

At 10.1 overs, New Zealand raced to 109/2 with:

  • Tim Seifert: 65* off 30 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes, SR 216.66)
  • Glenn Phillips: 11* off 7 balls

The run rate soared to an imposing 10.72 runs per over.

USA Bowling Performance

Despite the batter-friendly conditions, USA’s bowlers showed resilience.
Saurabh Netravalkar impressed with 1/23 in 2 overs, while Mohammad Mohsin also picked up a key wicket.

Pacers Ali Khan, Harmeet Singh, and Mohsin kept testing the batters, though defending on this surface proved challenging.

Teams & Tournament Context

Led by Mitchell Santner, New Zealand entered the warm-up looking to bounce back after losing four of their last five T20Is against India.
The squad blended experience and youth, featuring players like Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Lockie Ferguson, and Ish Sodhi.

USA skipper Monank Patel acknowledged the difficulty for bowlers on this venue.
Coming off a loss against India A, the Americans aimed to fine-tune combinations ahead of their high-profile clash against India.

Key Takeaways

  • Tim Seifert’s explosive knock signaled New Zealand’s aggressive intent.
  • The pitch strongly favored batters, reinforcing chasing advantages.
  • USA bowlers showed fight despite limited assistance.
  • The match served as a crucial confidence-builder before the main World Cup.

With the final overs still to unfold, New Zealand clearly used this warm-up to send a message —
their top order is ready to dominate when it matters most.

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From IPL Snub to Test Supremacy: Devon Conway’s Perfect Answer to Critics

by

Devon Conway

Ignored at the auction. Unstoppable in whites.

Devon Conway has once again proved why class never depends on contracts. Just a day after going unsold at the IPL 2026 auction, the New Zealand opener silenced every doubt with a magnificent Test century against West Indies, turning disappointment into dominance.

IPL Auction Shock That Grabbed Headlines

On December 16 in Abu Dhabi, Devon Conway surprisingly went unsold at the IPL 2026 auction, despite setting a base price of ₹2 crore. The decision came months after Chennai Super Kings released him as part of a major rebuild following their disappointing IPL 2025 campaign.

Conway’s emotional farewell message to CSK fans reflected his strong three-year journey with the franchise — a phase defined by consistency, calm batting, and match-winning knocks. The auction snub shocked fans, but Conway’s response came where it mattered the most — on the field.

A Century That Spoke Louder Than Words

Starting December 17 at Mount Maunganui, Conway delivered a statement performance in the third Test against West Indies. Opening alongside Tom Latham, he smashed a brilliant 120 runs, forming a massive 323-run opening partnership — the highest opening stand in World Test Championship history and New Zealand’s best for any wicket.

Conway reached his sixth Test century in just 149 balls, laced with 17 crisp boundaries. By stumps on Day 1, New Zealand stood tall at 216 without loss, firmly in control of the match and the series.

Why This Knock Matters

This was Conway’s first Test century against West Indies, achieved after returning from a thumb injury that had earlier sidelined him. The innings highlighted his mental toughness, adaptability, and elite red-ball technique — traits that separate good players from great ones.

With over 2,000 Test runs to his name, Conway continues to reinforce his reputation as one of the most reliable top-order batters in modern Test cricket — regardless of franchise outcomes.

FAQs

❓ What has happened to Devon Conway?

Devon Conway recently went unsold at the IPL 2026 auction but responded immediately with a stunning Test century against West Indies, proving his form and resilience.

❓ Is Devon Conway retired out of the IPL?

No. Devon Conway is not retired from the IPL. Going unsold in an auction does not mean retirement, and he remains available for future IPL seasons.

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