Australia overpower New Zealand for third straight win

Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath both score half-centuries as Australia post 269-8 batting first; New Zealand all out for 128 in reply as the Women’s Cricket World Cup hosts suffer a second defeat in Wellington

By AP

Last Updated: 13/03/22 8:37am

Darcie Brown took three wickets as Australia maintained their 100 per cent start

Australia showed off the full extent of their depth and talent as they overwhelmed New Zealand by 144 runs at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.

Even after losing batting stars Rachael Haynes and Meg Lanning relatively cheaply in just over 15 overs, Australia put 269-8 on the board after batting first at New Zealand’s request.

Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath stepped up with half-centuries in a 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket and Ashleigh Gardner, just out of Covid isolation, smashed 48 late runs from 18 balls with four sixes and four fours.

Darcie Brown then led a magnificent effort by the Australia bowlers who quickly dismissed New Zealand’s prolific top-order batters, Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr, to leave the home team reeling at 35-5.

Amy Satterthwaite and Katey Martin were involved in the beginnings of a recovery but leg-spinner Amanda-Jane Wellington found conditions in her namesake city to her liking and dismissed Martin and Hayley Jensen with consecutive balls in the 20th over.

New Zealand were 73-7 and the match proceeded to a predictable finish when they were all out for 128 in 30.2 overs.

Brown took 3-22 and Wellington 2-34.

Three wins in three matches for Australia ?#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/iCDZAGZnNz

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup)

March 13, 2022

The pitch at the Basin Reserve was the best of the tournament so far, providing both pace and bounce. The omnipresent Wellington wind helped the medium pacers to achieve some movement in the air.

New Zealand bowled well early and the Australians took time to get used to the geography of the Basin Reserve – the biggest ground used in the tournament – and to figure out the best angles for scoring shots.

Haynes and Healy put on 37 in a tough partnership for the first wicket but Australia lost Lanning and Haynes quickly and was 56.3 after 15 overs.

Perry rebuilt the innings with 68 from 86 balls, working first with Mooney (30), then with McGrath who made 57 from 56.

Gardner’s hard hitting at the end made a major difference, allowing Australia to reach a total which was above par and put pressure on New Zealand.

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The Kiwis could not recover from their poor start and the loss in quick succession of Devine, Bates and Kerr, whose wickets fell at 22, 23 and 24 respectively.

Satterthwaite batted her way to 44 from 67 balls but lacked a partner who could stick with her to strengthen the innings.

Australia move to the top of the tournament points table with three wins from three games. New Zealand drop to fourth with two wins and two losses.

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