New Zealand women have defeated Australian counterparts in the last T20 of three-match series. Although Australia had already won series by taking a 2- 0 lead New Zealand would be happy to avoid a whitewash and take the confidence of this win into the ODI series.
New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and put Australia in. Australian batsman could not get any momentum in innings and were 46/3 with Healy, Mooney and Haynes all back in the pavilion. Lanning got bogged down by some tight bowling and threw away her wicket of a full toss from Kerr after scoring21 from. 23 balls, who was most impressive bowler from blackcaps team.
New Zealand Women v Australia in all formats since March 2017:
L L L L L L L L L L L L L W
That's a streak they'll be glad to have broken 😅#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/e85urPs47C
— ICC (@ICC) September 30, 2020
Ashleigh Gardener looked in good touch and score boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. She had raced to 29 when she had a rush of blood as she charged down and got stumped. They’re after lower order did try to their best but with no proper batsman, unlike the first game where Gardener batted deep, Australia finished with 123/7, at least 10-15 run short from a par score.
NZ bowlers chipped in with regular wickets which did not allow any partnerships during Australian batting. Tahuhu and Kerr were the highest wicket-takers with 2 apiece. NZ knew there won’t be any easy runs and were made to work hard. They had a start similar to the Australian team and lost 3 wickets for 44 runs in 8 overs with spinners bowling tight lines. Australia sensed their chance but NZ were kept on winning track by 4th wicket partnership between Amy Satterthwaite and Katey Martin. They added 52 in 45 balls with 4 boundaries and 1 six as well.
New Zealand experienced a few hiccups in chase of 124 but Amelia Kerr, who starred with the ball earlier, closed the game out with back-to-back boundaries 👏
The result ended Australia's seven-match winning streak in T20Is.#AUSvNZ 3rd T20I report ⬇️ https://t.co/J1EyA0TeJE
— ICC (@ICC) September 30, 2020
NZ required 28 in 30 balls with 6 wickets in hand but Australia had not to throw in the towel and their spinners brought them back by dismissing both the set players. NZ were 5 down for 99 and 24 still requires in 18 balls. Kerr and Jensen then batted sensibly to take the game deep and required 8 in 6 balls with Schutt to bowl the final over. Kerr who was outstanding with the ball took the confidence into her batting and provided finishing touches by hitting two boundaries of Schutt, who had a rare off day for Australia.
Wareham was a successful bowler for Australia by taking 2 wickets. Kerr scored a nice cameo of 18 of 11 balls with 3 boundaries to backup her bowling performance and was deservingly given the player of the match award.
Australia were the better team over course of three matches and deserved to win the series. It was a hard-fought series and expect the same intensity in ODI’s as well that starts from Saturday.
