A stunning display of hitting from Ashleigh Gardner and some clutch death bowling from Megan Schutt has helped inspire Australia to a 17 run victory over New Zealand in the first T20 at Allan Border Field.
It marks the first game since Australia claimed their triumphant T20 World Cup final victory against India.
Sent in to bat first on a two-paced wicket, Australia struggled to adapt to the conditions, losing Beth Mooney (6) and Alyssa Healy (2) in the powerplay.
Whilst Meg Lanning (24) and Rachael Haynes (23) would get off to solid starts, the White Ferns dominated the early stages of the match, with captain Sophie Devine (3/18) tearing through the Australian middle order as they slumped to 5-82 off 13 overs.
Sophie Devine is proving impossible to get away today - she's got her third wicket and Australia are five down.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2020
Live #AUSvNZ scores: https://t.co/IX4FvNRXx7 pic.twitter.com/ruG6NDmNfB
However, Gardner would steady the ship for the world champions, smashing three sixes in the space of 11 balls to help propel Australia to a competitive total.
Three of the best from Ash Gardner! 💥💥💥@CommBank | @AusWomenCricket | #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/43vPxc083M
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2020
She would eventually fail for 61 off 41 balls, with some late hitting from Georgia Wareham (9*) and Nicola Carey (8*) ensuring that Australia scrapped their way to 6-138.
Devine would pick up where she left off with the ball, hitting just under a run as the Kiwis looked to recover after the early loss of Maddy Green (5).
In the end, she would depart for 29 after handy glovework from Alyssa Healy off the bowling of Delissa Kimmince caught her out of her ground.
OUT after a superb piece of work by Alyssa Healy behind the stumps.
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2020
The decision couldn't have been any closer 👀 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/w90JSmIblO
This would be the turning point of the match, with Kmmince (2/16) and Jonassen (1/20) restricting the runs during the middle overs.
Whilst Katey Martin (22) and Susie Bates (33) would provide some resistance, Megan Schutt (4/23), the number two ranked T20 bowler in the world, would dismiss them both in the 18th over, taking two more in the final over to help secure Australia the victory by 17 runs.
Bates is gone! Two wickets in the over for @megan_schutt 💪
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) September 26, 2020
LIVE: https://t.co/F1mnc9ESAy #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/cCLu7iH7lj
.@megan_schutt in the 18th over:
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 26, 2020
1 W . . W 1
Outstanding 👏 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/LXFKKiLth2
They will look to secure the series when they face off in the second T20 on Sunday.
