Wellington: Australia recovered from a poor start to demolish New Zealand by 141 runs in Wellington on Sunday and underline their status as Women’s Cricket World Cup favourites.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, New Zealand did well to bundle out Australia for 269-8, only for the six-time champions to bounce back and bundle out the hosts for 128 runs with 19.4 overs to spare.
New Zealand are considered to have a real chance of making the final of the ODI showcase, but a one-sided result is a warning to all teams in the tournament that Australia will remain the gold standard.
While they had a rare day in the top-order, Australia’s batting depth shone, highlighted by half-centuries from Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath.
Captain Meg Lanning said, “That’s the beauty of our batting line-up, we have some players who can save an innings and create a platform that allows us to play like a back end.”
New Zealand got off to a great start with the ball. Alyssa Healy scored 15 with a pull shot at the wrong time as she tried to increase the run rate, followed by a five by Lanning.
Australia were reduced to 56-3 when Rachel Haynes was bowled for 30 by Lee Tahuhu in the 16th over and was 113-4 before Beth Mooney pulled the ball to her stumps, also 30. For.
After this, Perry and McGrath put together an important partnership of 101 runs.
Ashleigh Gardner hit a quick 18-ball 48 but Australia’s total was within reach.
Tahuhu was one of New Zealand’s bowlers with 3-53.
The home team never looked close to chasing the target of 270 as Australia’s bowlers prepared to finish their batting line-up.
Teen speedster Darcy Brown had the best figures with 3-22 but the entire attack contributed to a dominant performance.
Amy Satterthwaite with 44 offered the only real resistance for New Zealand, but the rest of her batsmen failed to fire.
summed score
Australia 269-8 from 50 overs (E. Perry 68, T. McGrath 57, A. Gardner 48 not out; L. Tahuhu 3-53); New Zealand 128 in 30.2 overs (A. Satterthwaite 44, L. Tahuhu 23; D. Brown 3-22).
Published in Dawn, March 14, 2022