Perry Fires and Garth Holds Nerve as Australia Edge New Zealand
Australia women beat New Zealand women by two wickets in the opening T20 international at North Sydney Oval on 18 October. Chasing 163 to win in the 20-overs-per-side format, Australia reached 165 for eight with seven balls to spare. The result gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match Rose Bowl T20 series. The Guardian
New Zealand made 162 for two after Australia chose to bowl first. That score means two batters were out and the rest of the batting order was unused. The innings was built on one large stand. Georgia Plimmer struck a career-high 85 from 68 balls and Maddy Green added 56 from 37 balls.
The pair were unbeaten at the end. They shared 127 runs from 80 balls. It was calm, clean hitting. It left Australia needing just over eight runs an over.
Australia started fast in reply. Beth Mooney made 38 from 25 balls before she was run out. Ellyse Perry then took control with 52, reaching her half-century in 27 balls to equal her fastest fifty in T20 internationals.
New Zealand refused to let the chase drift away. Jess Kerr took four wickets and dragged the game deep. Pressure built at the finish. Kim Garth faced eight balls without scoring before she struck the winning boundary.
That late twist sealed Australia’s 11th consecutive T20 win. It also underlined how close the contest was. Two wickets left means Australia had only two batters still to come when the winning runs arrived.
What makes this stand out is how both sides owned long passages. New Zealand had the best partnership of the night. Australia had the fastest individual burst through Perry, then just enough composure at the end.
There was context around the hosts too. Sophie Molineux captained Australia after declaring herself fit for the series opener. Phoebe Litchfield missed the match at North Sydney Oval. Cricket.com.au
The series does not move. The remaining two matches are scheduled at North Sydney Oval on Tuesday and Thursday. New Zealand have little time to regroup. Australia have the lead, but this opener suggests the gap is small.
