Finn Allen has described his record-breaking innings which helped New Zealand to a demolition of South Africa and into the T20 World Cup final as "good fun".
Allen smashed an unbeaten century off 33 balls - a record at a T20 World Cup - and had the honour of hitting a boundary to bring up his ton and the Black Caps to 173-1 which overtook the Proteas' 169-8 at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
Allen and fellow opener Tim Seifert (58 off 33) had the game all but won at 84-0 after six overs, with Allen bringing up his half century in 19 deliveries - the quickest ever against South Africa.
In total he blasted 10 fours and eight sixes as the Black Caps raced into their fourth limited-overs World Cup final. He faced only four dot balls.
In an interview with 1News from the ground straight afterwards, 26-year-old Allen said he would likely have a beer with teammates in the changing room to celebrate before concentrating on preparing for the final which will involve a flight to Ahmedabad.
Finn Allen showed no mercy as he took South Africa to the cleaners to earn NZ a spot in the T20 World Cup final. (Source: SKY)
"Obviously it’s the most important game of the tournament so far and for me to go out there and do that was good fun and at the same time extremely important for the team," Allen said.
"I think the tone was set really nicely by the bowlers and to keep them to that total on that wicket was extremely impressive by them."
With 21 runs needed, Allen hit quick bowling allrounder Marco Jansen for 4, 4, 6, 6 and one final glorious thumped off-driven four to reach three figures with the winning blow.
Of his celebration alongside Rachin Ravindra, Allen said: "I don’t usually celebrate too much but I think it [the moment] took over there. I’m extremely proud to perform for New Zealand to contribute getting us into a final."
Asked what he and Ravindra, who hit 13 not out, said on the way off the field, he said: "Not too much, to be honest. I was pretty cooked – my hammy was cramping up. I think we just said congrats and well done and let’s go win this final on Sunday (Monday NZT)."
In an interview with the match broadcaster afterwards, Allen said the Black Caps' recent experience of playing on "black soil" Indian pitches had been beneficial.
He added that New Zealand's devastating start against South Africa's attack was planned. "Tim and I like to be quite positive. They’ve got a quality bowling line-up and if we could put them under pressure early it would go a long way for the rest of our batting order."
South Africa skipper Aiden Markram said: "Someone plays an innings like that, I don't think you'll come out on the right side of the result many times as the fielding team. Massive credit to Finn Allen."
New Zealand will take on the winner of Friday's second semifinal between co-host India and England.
Fastest 100s in T20 World Cup matches
33 balls - Finn Allen (New Zealand v South Africa 2026)
47 balls - Chris Gayle (West Indies v England 2016)
50 balls - Chris Gayle (West Indies v South Africa 2007)
50 balls - Harry Brook (England v Pakistan 2026)
51 balls - Brendon McCullum (New Zealand v Bangladesh 2012)
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the US sinks an Iranian warship killing dozens, help is on the way for stranded New Zealanders, and Finn Allen powers the Black Caps to a T20 World cup final. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME