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Australia and New Zealand will clash in the third ODI on Saturday, with the visitors hoping to complete a series whitewash.
Australia sealed the three match ODI series on Wednesday after they thrashed New Zealand by 71 runs in the second ODI. The White Ferns have now lost seven out of their last eight ODIs, and are completely looking out of sorts.
Australia will be in with an opportunity to seal another ODI series whitewash over their neighbors in the span of just under seven months. The White Ferns won the toss in the second ODI, and decided to put the Australians into bat. The visitors managed to post a huge total of 271 runs, after the likes Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning all scored some useful runs. Haynes, who opened the batting for Australia scored 87 runs and was adjudged the Player of the Match.
Among the New Zealand bowlers, Leigh Kasperek came back into the side and put in a brilliant display. She picked up six wickets in her 10-over spell, conceding 46 runs. None of the other bowlers could pick up wickets and help sustain the pressure built by Kasperek at one end.
Amelia Kerr was White Ferns’ top run-scorer, after she scored a knock of 47 runs off 70 balls. Several New Zealand batsman managed to get a start, but failed to convert it into a big innings. The visitors were bowled out for a score of 200 runs in 45 overs, with Jess Jonassen picking up three wickets. Amy Satterthwaite, who is the skipper of New Zealand, had a poor outing with the bat, as she managed to score just 6 runs. The hosts were never in the chase as they lost two wickets early on the innings, within the first two overs.
Key Players
Rachael Haynes was the player of the match in the second ODI, after she scored 87 runs. The Australian batter has enjoyed scoring against New Zealand, as she also played pivotal role in her side’s series victory over the same opposition, last year. Haynes had a poor outing in the first ODI, where she managed to score just 14 runs, but was on the top of her game on Wednesday. She remained on the crease for about 35 overs, scoring 8 boundaries in her innings.
Megan Schutt was adjudged the player of the match in the first ODI, after she picked up four wickets. However, she managed to pick up just one wicket in the second game. The Australian pacer picked up the key wicket of the opposition skipper, Amy Satterthwaite and that thwarted the hosts’ chances of chasing down such a huge total.
Amelia Kerr has been one of the most consistent batters for New Zealand in the series. In her two ODIs, she has scored 80 runs and has batted valiantly against a strong Australian bowling lineup. However, her bowling has not been up to the mark in the two ODIs, as she has picked up just the one wicket so far. Moreover, she was expensive in the first ODI, conceding 60 runs in 7.3 overs. Amelia Kerr will have to bowl well in the third ODI, and start picking up wickets on a consistent basis.
Amy Satterthwaite had a poor outing in the second ODI, scoring just 6 runs. The hosts desperately need their captain to fire, in the absence of Sophie Devine. She managed to score 32 runs in the first ODI, and just when it looked that she was settled, she was dismissed by Nicola Carey. With the ball, she has been a handy option. She has picked up a wicket each in both the games, including the key wicket of Meg Lanning in the second ODI.
Prediction
Australia are expected to stick with their same team, and will be looking to pile on the misery for the White Ferns. New Zealand were defeated by England in a three match ODI series by a scoreline of 2-1 and have already lost the series against Australia. They would hope to salvage some pride as they look to avoid a series whitewash.
Sophie Devine, who missed the ODI series due to fatigue has proven to be a huge miss. The hosts’ batting lineup has not been up to the mark, with a certain lack of quality in the middle-order. As for the bowling attack, the White Ferns have failed to maintain any sort of pressure on the opposition batsman, giving them an opportunity to score freely.
Australia are undoubtedly one of the strongest teams in women’s cricket, and have several match winners in their squad. The visitors have a well-rounded squad with enough depth in both batting and bowling departments. They are expected to continue with their dominant performances and will secure a series whitewash.
