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New Zealand Women to take on Australia Women in the second T20I of a 3-match series at McLean Park, Napier on Tuesday, March 30.
The World Champions Australia Women pulled off an incredible win against the hosts in the first T20 international by six wickets at Seddon Park on Sunday.
Australia Women restricted the hosts to 130 for six and chased it down comfortably in the end with two overs to spare. Jess Jonassen was the pick of the bowlers as she registered 3 for 26 and played a significant role in putting the hosts on the backfoot. Jonassen sent back New Zealand’s opening pair Sophie Devine and Hayley Jensen in the sixth over of the innings and put the brakes on after a good star.
Amy Satterthwaite scored 40 off 31 balls as she added 58 runs for the third wicket, but with Amelia Kerr stuck at the other end, the partnership wasn’t as brisk as New Zealand would’ve wanted. Maddy Green and Halliday added some important runs at the back end, but it was not enough.
Ashleigh Gardner was the star for Australia Women with the bat. Chasing a moderate target, the visitors had a horror start as they lost both the openers and Rachel Haynes for 14 runs in 3.4 overs. Fortunately for Australia, they couldn’t have asked for better players in the middle for such a situation than Meg Lanning and Ash Gardner. Lanning and Gardner arrested the collapse with a 48-run partnership. Gardner then displayed her brute power and took the side over the line, with Ellyse Perry contributing 23 off 16 alongside her. Gardner scored 73 off 48 deliveries, in which she smacked three sixes. It was undoubtedly one of her best knocks.
With a 0-1 scoreline heading into the second match, New Zealand Women have their work cut out against a dominant team like Australia. A thrilling battle is expected to take place at McLean Park on Tuesday.
Key Players
Sophie Devine is one of the best all-rounders going around in women’s cricket. Devine adds tremendous value to the side and has a stellar record in her international career. In 98 T20 international matches, Devine has scored 2474 runs at nearly 30 average and strike rate of 124. Devine also has 94 scalps to her name at an economy of 6.32. Devine is coming into this series on the back of a blockbuster season of Super Smash, where she amassed 434 runs. Although she couldn’t get going in the first match, Devine will be raring to put on a show in the second match.
Alyssa Healy needs no introduction. She’s one of the most destructive batters in the world and arguably the greatest wicket-keeper batter. Healy’s ability to get on the top of the bowlers from the word go makes her very dangerous for the oppositions. A strike rate of 131 in 116 T20 internationals highlights her skills and elite intent. Healy missed out in the first match and will be looking to stamp her authority.
Tayla Vlaeminck is one of the fastest bowlers in Women’s Cricket. After returning from a stress fracture injury that had her miss the T20 World Cup 2020, Vlaeminck looked sharp in the first match. She bowled a fiery spell against New Zealand Women’s openers and clocked 120 kmph. The pacer has taken 11 wickets in 10 T20Is so far at an impressive economy rate of 5.66 and will be one to watch out for.
Beth Mooney, the dynamic southpaw, has carved her own place in Australia’s strong batting line-up with consistent performances. Mooney was one of Australia Women’s successful T20 World Cup campaign stars where she was the highest run-getter with 259 runs at 64.79 average to her name. She followed up with an incredible Women’s Big Bash League season where Mooney again topped the charts with 551 runs in 14 matches.
Prediction
With Australia Women taking the lead, the three-match series now moves to Napier. McLean Park usually serves up batting-friendly tracks, so there’s a good chance we could see a high scoring contest.
Playing their first international series since the T20 World Cup triumph, the visitors are at full strength. Tayla Vlaeminck and Ellyse Perry’s return has strengthened the side. With virtually no weaknesses in their squad, Australia Women are favourites for the second match.
New Zealand Women, on the other hand, are hampered by the unavailability of the all-rounder Suzie Bates. The onus will be on the experienced duo of Sophie Devine and Amy Satterthwaite to do the bulk of the scoring. The leg-spinner Amelia Kerr will be the key to derail the Southern Stars’ strong batting unit.
Even though Australia Women start as favourites, T20 is a volatile format, and one individual brilliance can hand you a loss. New Zealand Women just need to find that inspiration from somewhere.
