New Zealand displayed a power-packed performance at the Twenty20 match against Australia as the hosts secured a 59-run win over them at Wellington. New Zealand is hitting back with four Twenty20 wins after losing all five one-day matches in Australia.
Australia started to lose grounds right from the start after Shelly Nitschke was dismissed while trying to pull Kate Pulford. Australia lost their first two wickets for just 21 runs. Another major blow came when Alex Backwell was sent packing back to the pavilion by Suzie Bates leaving Australia at 4 wickets for 32 runs. The loss was un-accounted for and the Australian side could never fully recover from it. Almee Watkins rounded up the tail with 3 wickets for 8 runs and Australia was left all out for just 73 runs. This is the lowest Twenty20 score put up by the Australian women till now.
In the second innings, opener Bates started strong and hit 48 runs from 40 balls faced to put the Kiwis on high spirits. Sophie Devine finished it off by scoring 28 runs from 22 balls which included a marvelous six. However, she was dismissed for a run out in the final over. The most successful amongst the visitors was Rachael Haynes with 3 wickets for 19 runs.