Australia comfortably beat New Zealand as they started their defence of the T20 World Cup with a 97-run win over New Zealand.
Due to good knocks from Alyssa Healy (55 off 38) and Meg Lanning (41 off 33) Australia set New Zealand 174 to win, and the White Ferns have been bowled out for simply 76 runs, with Ash Gardner ending with profession finest figures of 5-12.
After being put into bat, Australia bought off to the worst potential begin, shedding opener Beth Mooney for a duck within the first over courtesy of an awesome diving catch by Eden Carson off the bowling of Lea Tahuhu.
However the holders recovered properly, and Healy shared a 70-run second-wicket partnership with captain Lanning.
Australia vs New Zealand – rating abstract
Australia 173-9 from 20 overs: (Healy 55 off 38), (Lanning 41 off 33), (Perry 40 off 22); Tahuhu (3-37), A Kerr (3-23)
New Zealand 76 all out from 20 overs: (A Kerr 21 off 30); Gardner 5-12, Schutt 2-8
New Zealand fought again, with the spectacular Amelia Kerr (3-23) and Tahuhu (3-37) taking two wickets in two overs.
These wickets did not cease a relentless Healy, who shared a 50-run partnership with Ellyse Perry (40) as Australia appeared like they’d hit 180+.
With 5 overs left, Australia appeared to speed up and, in doing so, misplaced 5 wickets and fell from 148-4 to 167-9.
The injury had already been finished, and New Zealand have been set 174 runs to win. In response, they bought off to the worst potential begin, shedding each openers to geese within the first over.
Suzie Bates was bowled first ball by Megan Schutt (2-8) and the seamer struck once more when she trapped captain Sophie Devine lbw.
Sunday twelfth February 12:30pm
Australia took agency management of the match when Bernadine Bezuidenhout (14 off 10) was caught by Darcie Brown within the remaining over off the powerplay.
Poor operating between the wickets from Madeline Inexperienced (9 off 8) and Kerr, left New Zealand 4 down with simply 50 runs on the board and when Ash Gardner bowled Kerr (21 off 30) New Zealand had a mountain to climb.
The White Ferns might by no means get well and have been ultimately bowled out for simply 76 runs after simply 14 overs, with Gardner taking the final 4 wickets.
Amelia Kerr high scored for New Zealand however solely Bezuidenhout (14 off 10) and Jess Kerr (10 off 10) reached double figures in a dismal run chase.
Schutt (2-8), Brown (1-11) and Perry (1-4) supported Gardner, who took a career-best 5-12. The result’s Australia greatest win in T20s, whereas the loss is New Zealand’s greatest on this format.
Picture:
Lea Tahuhu was the decide of the bowlers for New Zealand, taking three wickets
Gardner: Sport arrange by the batters
Participant of the Match, Ash Gardner…
“That was arrange by our batters. They allowed us a bit extra freedom and adaptability with the ball. I used to be fortunate to take the wickets in the long run.
“I’ve labored loads on my wrist place to rise up and over the ball and try to flip it. For me, it is extra about my size, profiting from the size I can bowl as somebody fairly tall.”
Devine: Actually disappointing day
New Zealand captain, Sophie Devine…
“I assumed we have been poor in all sides however we’ve got to seek out the positives in a match like this.
Australia batted very well and I assumed Lea Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr have been excellent with the ball for us.
A goal of 174 was going to be robust however we misplaced early wickets and it was actually disappointing. That’s the solely solution to sum it up.”
Sunday twelfth February 12:30pm
Lanning: Hopefully we are able to kick on
Australia skipper, Meg Lanning…
“We got here into in the present day figuring out it was going to be a problem with circumstances so to have the ability to adapt actually rapidly with the bat after which take early wickets, particularly Bates and Devine, [was great]. Hopefully we are able to kick on and proceed to get higher.”
Monday thirteenth February 12:30pm
What’s subsequent?
New Zealand will keep in Boland Park, Paarl subsequent, the place they face South Africa Monday at 5pm. Australia flip their consideration to Bangladesh at St George’s Park, Gquberha on Tuesday at 5pm.
India start their marketing campaign on Sunday in opposition to Pakistan (1pm) earlier than Sri Lanka, who shocked hosts South Africa on Friday evening, look to make it two wins from two after they meet Bangladesh (5pm).
Watch each T20 World Cup match dwell on Sky Sports activities.