Scintillating performance by Nitschke

Monday, February 16, 2009 -- Australia Women and New Zealand Women clashed in a Twenty20 International on 15th February 2009 at Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia Women was victorious in this match by 9 wickets with 11 deliveries to spare as per Duckworth-Lewis method.

Player of the match

Shelley Nitschke of Australia Women was honored as the Player of the Match for her all-round performance. In the early part of the New Zealand Women innings, she took the crucial wickets of Kate Pulford and Suzie Bates. She finished with an impressive bowling performance of 3 overs, 16 runs and 2 wickets. She sparkled with the bat too and remained unbeaten on 54 off just 33 deliveries. She was on the ground for 51 minutes and during these struck 8 boundaries.

Rain restricts play

During the New Zealand Women’s innings, when 6.2 overs were bowled, rain interrupted play. At this stage, the scoreboard read 39 for 2. Pulford, who had scored 29 runs off 24 deliveries, had returned back to the pavilion. At this stage, the match was decreased to 14 overs per side. The only other New Zealand batsman to cross 20 was Sophie Devine. She faced 16 balls and accumulated 23 runs. At the end of 14 overs, New Zealand Women accrued 91 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. As per Duckworth-Lewis rules, a target of 95 runs was set for Australia Women to be attained in 14 overs. However, after 7.2 overs of their innings, rain ceased play again and the target was revised to 82 runs off 12 overs. Nitschke was ably assisted by Lisa Sthalekar who remained unbeaten on 23 in 25 balls. Australia Women collected 83 runs in just 10.1 overs for the loss of a singular wicket.