Australia triumphs over New Zealand in ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash

Photo : AP

Australia secured a dominant 60-run victory over New Zealand in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Sharjah, maintaining their unbeaten run in Group A. The defending champions posted a challenging 148 for eight, with Amelia Kerr standing out for New Zealand, taking four wickets for 26 runs. Despite Kerr’s efforts, New Zealand crumbled in response, being bowled out for just 88 runs in 19.2 overs.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat, with skipper Alyssa Healy leading from the front. Healy, who successfully overturned an lbw decision early in her innings, smashed 11 runs off Fran Jonas in one over, surpassing 3,000 career T20I runs in the process. She hit her fourth boundary in the final over of the powerplay before being dismissed for 26 by Georgia Plimmer, leaving Australia at 46 for one.

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Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney steadied the innings, building a solid partnership. Perry survived a scare when she was dropped on the boundary while on four, but the pair continued to add crucial runs. Mooney, who had been in fine form throughout the tournament, was dismissed for 40 in the 12th over, ending a partnership that had Australia well-placed at 86 for two.

Perry then accelerated, passing the milestone of 2,000 T20I runs, before becoming Kerr’s second wicket, falling for 30. Kerr struck again immediately, bowling Grace Harris with a googly for a duck. The middle order struggled to regain momentum as Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, and Brooke Halliday chipped in with crucial overs. Phoebe Litchfield contributed 18 before being caught by Halliday, continuing her excellent run against Australia.

Kerr narrowly missed out on a hat-trick, but added another wicket soon after when Georgia Wareham was caught by Tahuhu, leaving Australia in a tricky spot at 129 for six. Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland were dismissed in the final overs, but Australia’s total of 148 remained the highest score of the tournament at Sharjah.

In response, New Zealand's top order struggled to build partnerships. Georgia Plimmer, who had impressed alongside Suzie Bates in their win over India, was dismissed after only 14 balls, bowled by Megan Schutt. Schutt’s wicket made her the most successful bowler in ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, with 44 wickets to her name.

Suzie Bates and Kerr tried to keep the innings together, rotating the strike as the required run rate continued to climb. By the end of the powerplay, the White Ferns needed 8.57 runs per over, and by the halfway point of the innings, the pressure had mounted further. Bates, struggling to find rhythm, was bowled for 20 by Sophie Molineux.

Kerr’s dismissal soon followed, sparking a collapse as New Zealand lost three wickets in just five balls. Sutherland struck twice in consecutive deliveries, sending the White Ferns spiraling to 60 for six. Sophie Devine, who had earlier attempted to inject some aggression into the innings, fell for just seven after a mistimed swing against Molineux.

Schutt, who had started the New Zealand downfall, fittingly finished it off by claiming the final wicket of Eden Carson. New Zealand’s innings ended at 88 all out, as Australia completed an emphatic win, reaffirming their position as favorites in the tournament.