AUS-W vs NZ-W, 2nd T20I review: Australia beat New Zealand by 29 runs to seal T20I series

Australia defeated New Zealand by 29 runs in the second T20I at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay to seal the three-match T20I series. Captain Alyssa Healy gave a cracking start as she made 38 runs off 25 deliveries. Her opening partner Beth Mooney flopped, scoring 10 runs and that’s slightly concerning as she is going through a rough phase leading into the T20 World Cup. Notably, it was in 2017 when Mooney last scored a half-century in T20Is.

Batting at number three, Elysse Perry supported the captain well but couldn’t capitalize on her start. The all-rounder made 34 runs off 33 balls while Ashleigh Gardner made 18 runs off 19 balls. However, after that, wickets fell like a house of cards. All the remaining players scored in single digits and that’s one thing that the team management needs to address immediately.

For New Zealand, Amelia Karr picked up four wickets while Brooke Halliday clinched two. Australia were bundled for 143 runs and it was expected that New Zealand could give the hosts a run for their money and get the job done. However, the White Ferns were disappointing with the bat, leading to consecutive defeats.

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Veteran cricketer Suzie Bates made 34 runs to start with but the latter batters showed very little character. Youngster Georgia Plimmer, Kerr and Sophie Devine made nine, six and four runs respectively and that pushed the visitors away from the game. Maddy Green made 21 runs off 18 balls and 20-year-old Isabella Gaze made 18 runs but it wasn’t enough. 

For Australia, Gardner reigned supreme with the ball and was also adjudged Player of the Match. The in-form cricketer picked up three wickets while Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham and Darcie Brown picked up one each. Ahead of the T20 World Cup, their bowlers had a decent outing but the batters need to step up in the next match, especially with no pressure of sealing the trophy.