Devon Conway started off his career as a first class cricketer in South Africa, but destiny had other plans for him. Born in Johannesburg, Devon Conway made his first class debut in March 2009, but things didn't really work out for him. After almost a decade, he finally decided to move to New Zealand and start afresh.
Fortunately for him, the move worked wonders. Conway has already established himself as one of the leading opening batsmen in world cricket.
"I was always in and out of the team in South Africa. I didn't have a secure spot. I was also batting in different positions. In the T20s, I would open. In the one-dayers, I'd bat at No. 5. In the four-dayers, I'd probably be in if someone was left out. I've batted in all sorts of positions, sometimes even No. 7. I wouldn't bowl either. Lack of clarity and my own inconsistency pushed me down the pecking order. I wouldn't have been able to push my case forward, so I thought it was best to move," the batsman says.
His test debut could not have been more memorable as he struck a brilliant double century in his first ever test match against England, that too at Lord's and took the cricketing world by storm.
In the final of the world test Championship against India as well, Conway made a vital contribution, ensuring that New Zealand had solid starts in both the innings.
"I was once playing golf with my partner, Kim, when I said to her: 'I don't feel like my game is going anywhere here' and said that I'd be interested in moving to New Zealand. She said, 'Let's do it then.' I thought she was joking, but she wasn't. I realised you're only young once, so we should take the gamble. I don't think it's a decision we will never regret. I'd heard New Zealand was a beautiful country. I was lucky to have a few friends who had moved there for professional cricket. I thought, 'Let me go over and play at a club', and that prompted me and my partner to move."
To say that Conway started off his international career with the bang would be an understatement. He averaged 59.12 with a strike rate of 151.11 in his first 11 T20I innings with four 50s and the best of 99 not out.
