India series preparation on black soil wickets made difference: Finn Allen

KOLKATA: (Mar 5) A five-match series against India on similar black soil surfaces in the lead up to the T20 World Cup proved invaluable, said explosive New Zealand opener Finn Allen after powering the Kiwis to the T20 World Cup final with a nine-wicket win over South Africa here on Wednesday.

Allen lit up the Eden Gardens with a stunning 33-ball 100 not out, toying the South African attack with towering sixes and superb boundaries as New Zealand chased down 170 in just 12.5 overs, sealing a nine-wicket win with 43 balls to spare.

"It was an extremely impressive start from our bowlers -- they set the game up for us, for sure," Allen said in the post-match media interaction.