Devon Conway
Devon Conway – Batsman in New Zealand Team
Devon Conway is a New Zealand international cricketer known for his calm presence at the top of the order and a technically sound left-handed batting style. He played a vital role in New Zealand’s World Test Championship triumph in 2021, finished as a runner-up at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and was part of the title-winning Chennai Super Kings squad in IPL 2023.
Devon Conway: Biography And Sporting Career
Devon Philip Conway was born on 8 July 1991 in Johannesburg, South Africa, into a family where sport was part of everyday life. His father ran an office supply business while also coaching junior cricket at the grassroots level in Gauteng, a setting that naturally pulled Devon into the game from a young age.
Backed by his parents and driven by discipline rather than hype, Devon Conway earned a sports scholarship in 2004 to St. John’s College, Johannesburg, one of South Africa’s most respected cricketing schools. The institution’s demanding program shaped both his technique and his mindset. After completing his studies in 2009, Conway made a clear decision to chase professional cricket rather than keeping it as a side pursuit.
Devon Conway entered South Africa’s domestic system and featured across First-Class and List A formats, representing several teams as he searched for consistency and recognition. During this phase, he turned out for:
- Gauteng;
- KwaZulu-Natal Inland;
- Dolphins;
- Highveld Lions.
Early on, Conway’s career moved steadily rather than explosively. He had to put in the hard yards, often flying under the radar. Everything came together during the 2016/17 season, when he produced a standout campaign for Gauteng – 1,003 First-Class runs in seven matches at an average of 71.64. Despite those numbers, a national call-up in South Africa remained unlikely due to intense competition.
Facing limited opportunities at the top level, Devon Conway made a bold call. In September 2017, at just 26 years old, he relocated to New Zealand, choosing Wellington as his new base and effectively restarting his professional path.
His impact was immediate. Playing for the Wellington Firebirds in the 2018-19 Plunket Shield, Conway quickly established himself as a dependable opener. Over seven matches (12 innings), he piled up 659 runs at an average of 82.37, finishing the season as the tournament’s top scorer.
Conwy’s influence wasn’t limited to red-ball cricket. He became a core figure for Wellington in limited-overs formats as well, contributing to their Super Smash title in 2019-20. One innings, however, truly set him apart: an unbeaten 327 against Canterbury in the 2019-20 Plunket Shield, a marathon knock that cemented his reputation as one of the country’s most reliable batters.
His performances at the domestic level were too consistent to ignore. New Zealand Cricket formally recognized his contribution by naming him Domestic Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20).
In 2021, Conway’s residency process was expedited under national interest provisions, reflecting his growing importance to New Zealand cricket. On the international stage, he quickly became a mainstay across formats and played key roles in major tournaments:
- World Test Championship (2019-2021, Test) – Champion;
- T20 World Cup 2021 (T20) – Runner-up;
- ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (ODI) – Runner-up.
As of 2026, Devon Conway remains an active international cricketer, regularly selected for T20 and ODI series, fulfilling duties as both an opening batsman and a wicketkeeper-batsman.
Devon Conway: Personal Life And Interesting Facts
Devon Conway is married to Kim Watson (now Kim Conway), his long-term partner who moved with him from South Africa to New Zealand in 2017. The couple faced a deeply challenging period in 2023 following a miscarriage. Both have spoken openly about how the experience tested them emotionally but ultimately strengthened their relationship. In 2024, they welcomed their daughter Olivia, a moment Conway has described as life-changing.
- Despite his public profile, Conway prefers to keep family matters out of the spotlight. He and Kim selectively share personal moments while maintaining firm boundaries with the media. Below are several notable facts from his life and career:
- Conway spent much of his childhood on a farm, surrounded by horses, poultry, and livestock, an upbringing that shaped his appreciation for animals and outdoor life;
- Away from cricket, he enjoys playing golf, often teaming up with his wife;
- During IPL 2023, Conway scored 672 runs for Chennai Super Kings, finishing third on the season run charts and contributing 47 runs in the final, where he earned Player of the Match honors as CSK lifted the trophy;
- He was named one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year in 2022, a prestigious recognition of his impact at the international level.
The cricketer is also active on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook, where he mixes cricket-related content with family moments and sponsored posts. His main Instagram account, @devonconway88, has around 600,000 followers.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Bat Avg | Top Score | Catches/ Stumpings |
| Test | 32 | 2 533 | 43.67 | 227 | 24/0 |
| ODI | 43 | 1 692 | 43.38 | 152 | 28/0 |
| T20I | 62 | 1 675 | 37.22 | 99 | 30/6 |
| T20s | 225 | 6 969 | 40.28 | 105 | 162/6 |
| List A | 123 | 4 754 | 44.42 | 152 | 210/6 |
| FC | 143 | 9 848 | 46.01 | 327 | 320/0 |
