Allen blitz fires New Zealand into T20 World Cup final with crushing win over S Africa

KOLKATA, India, March 4 : Finn Allen plundered the fastest century in Twenty20 World Cup history to lead New Zealand into the final with a nine-wicket demolition of South Africa at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

South Africa, previously unbeaten in the tournament, recovered from a precarious 77-5 to post a competitive 169-8 after Marco Jansen led their recovery with a belligerent 55 not out.

Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 33 balls, however, and shared a 117-run opening stand with Tim Seifert (58) as New Zealand romped to their target in only 12.5 overs.

Allen, who hit eight sixes, finished the match with his 10th four to bring up the fastest hundred in a T20 international between two full-member nations.

"I'd say it's pretty up there," player of the match Allen said.

"Obviously, we wanted to try and put them on the back foot early. I think it's easy for me when Timmy's going like that. 

"I can kind of just watch and then hit it when it's in my area and then just try and give him the strike."

South Africa went into the match on the back of seven wins in a row including a seven-wicket thumping of New Zealand in a group match.

The presence of two left-handed batters in South Africa's top three prompted New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner to bring on off-spinner Cole McConchie as early as the second over and the move immediately paid off.

Quinton de Kock (10) was snared at mid-on and Ryan Rickelton slashed the ball to backward point off the next delivery.

New Zealand were denied a third powerplay strike when Rachin Ravindra spilled Aiden Markram (18) at midwicket with the South Africa captain on three.

Ravindra made amends in his first over, however, as Markram was adjudged out even though fielder Daryl Mitchell himself was