Following that, Molly Penfold (2 for 24) cleaned up Tahlia McGrath (6 off 10), but it was Phoebe Litchfield (64* off 43) and Georgia Wareham (26 off 20) who ensured there were no more hiccups.
New Zealand women and Australian women On September 19, in Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena, women faced off in the opening Twenty20 International. Having won the toss, New Zealand decided to bat first. Suzie Bates scored 33 off of 27 while Georgia Plimmer was caught for a run-a-ball 11. The team’s poor start from the openers did not help.
The squad was in serious difficulties when Amelia Kerr (7 off 5) and Brooke Halliday (5 off 9) both failed to bat for an extended period of time.
When the 11th over began, the Kiwis were at 70 and Bates, who had been holding one end until then, was out of the game. Isabelle Gaze (11 off 9) and Maddy Green (35 off 33) cobbled together a 26-run stand, although the run rate did not soar.
The visitors recorded a minimal 143/7 on the board, thanks in part to the contributions of Leigh Kasperek (14 off 16) and Jess Kerr (11* off 10). This was enough to surpass 140. Every one of the seven Australian bowlers contributed one wicket to the total.
Phoebe Litchfield breezes through Australia to secure the victory.
Even when Australia’s openers, Alyssa Healy (17 off 18) and Elysse Perry (8 off 8), failed to accelerate on the unfavourable pitch. Beth Mooney walked back with 13 off 10. With the hosts at 44/3, both batsmen went out in the space of three overs.
Also Read: Twitter Reactions: Georgia Wareham’s overall performance helps Australia clean sweep New Zealand
With five wickets and eight balls remaining, Australia completed the target after both batsmen scored 50 runs for the fifth wicket.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Australia Women’s win:
Umpire been practising signalling 4?
Game is GONE#AUSWvNZW
— Nellberg cricket 🏏 (@nellbergcricket) September 19, 2024
Want to put money on ‘Healy up to the stumps’ as top run scorer for the next match…. #AusvNZ #AusWvNZW
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) September 19, 2024
Can Australia chase the target set by New Zealand?#AUSWvNZW #T20I #cricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/XUaaHZqkZD
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) September 19, 2024
Molly Penfold gets the breakthrough. McGrath departs for 6 runs. Australia 86-4 #AUSWvNZW
— Joseph Kiran (@Josekiran30) September 19, 2024
New Zealand Women have won the toss and will bat first!
Let’s see how this unfolds! #AUSWvNZW
— Sports with Us (@sportswithus) September 19, 2024
Australia Women have defeated New Zealand Women by 5 wickets, thanks to a brilliant match-winning knock of 64* from Phoebe Litchfield!
Australia is now 1-0 up in the 3-match T20 series.#AUSWvNZW #AUSvNZ #PhoebeLitchfield https://t.co/tITQCBMosi
— Sports with Us (@sportswithus) September 19, 2024
Australia Women beat New Zealand Women by 5 Wickets
Phoebe Litchfield* 64 (43)
Annabell Sutherland 4 (3)Full Scorecard: https://t.co/lfXq84Bybm#AUSWvNZW #AUSvsNZ
— Cricgram (@cricgram) September 19, 2024