Under the leadership of Devon Conway, New Zealand achieved a resounding nine-wicket victory against England in the 2023 World Cup opener held in Ahmedabad.
England struggled to gain any momentum and was limited to a score of 282. Meanwhile, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra confidently pursued the target and achieved it with 82 balls to spare.
Devon Conway scored an unbeaten 152, showcasing his effortless batting prowess, while Rachin Ravindra played an unforgettable innings of 123. Conway’s stellar performance against England in all formats continued to impress.
Here are 3 reasons why Devon Conway might top the run-scoring charts in the 2023 World Cup:
#3 Familiar with the conditions in India
Devon Conway is a valuable member of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and possesses a deep understanding of Indian conditions. He has participated in 23 matches for CSK, amassing 924 runs with an impressive average of 48.63.
His consistency in scoring runs transcends various conditions, and his ability to handle spinners stands out among overseas batsmen.
As observed in the match against England, Conway seems incredibly comfortable on Indian pitches, demonstrating adaptability to suit his team’s needs and the prevailing conditions. With these qualities, he could make a significant impact during this year’s World Cup.
#2 Capability to change pace or style
Devon Conway is a traditional opening batsman. Even in limited-overs cricket, he starts cautiously, assessing the conditions. Once he’s comfortable, he becomes more aggressive and takes on the bowlers.
We saw this quality in action against England, where he respected good deliveries. Indian pitches typically become more favorable for batting as the match progresses, and this is where Conway excels.
He’s skilled against both fast bowlers and spinners and has the confidence to change his approach once he’s settled. In the England match, he handled the pace of Mark Wood and spun with ease against Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.
#1 Highly skilled at facing spin bowling
Conway’s batting technique is exemplary; he can play with a straight bat and execute both conventional and reverse sweeps. This makes him an ideal batsman against spin bowlers, and he rarely appears challenged by their deliveries.
His footwork against slower bowlers is decisive, and he handles both inward and outward-turning deliveries proficiently.
Conway has attributed his improved spin-playing skills to his time with CSK, particularly crediting MS Dhoni for encouraging him to play straight against spin.
These skills were evident in his performance against England, and if the pitches slow down during the World Cup, Conway’s spin-playing ability will serve him well.
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