Ashleigh Gardner came in after McGrath and boosted the innings with her amazing performance. She made a fabulous 48 runs in just 18 balls, rolling out 4 fours and four sixes with an emphatic strike rate of 266.66.
Aussies lock a win by a massive 141 run margin in Wellington and dethrone India to become World Cup’s favorites. Meg Lanning’s side were pinned down early after being sent in at the Basin Reserve on Sunday, scratching around for runs at 56-3.
From that point on, Australia became somewhat invincible firing shots one after the other. Ellyse Perry and Tahlia McGrath made half- centuries. Ash Gardener, who had been tested covid positive before, swished out 48 runs in 18 balls. Australia made a final score of 269-8 which was quite impressive and unbelievable.
The Aussie pace attack took the most lethal wickets within eight overs. Sophie Devine got out after 6 runs by Ellyse Perry. This was sandwiched between Darcie Brown’s brilliant performance when she knocked down the kiwi top order, taking the wickets of Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr.
Beth Mooney stunningly dove in slips to remove Kerr, giving the South Australian teenager her first World Cup wicket. The scorecard read “c Healy b McGrath” when Maddy Green poked at one shortly after, and Brown then trapped Frankie Mackay lbw to leave the Kiwis discouraged at 35-5.
Amy Satterthwaite stabilized the batting team by keeping it up till 44 runs and a decent run rate of 65.67. Katey Martin’s french cut missed the wickets and Amy Satterthwaite was given out leg by wicket (lbw).
Maddy Green, feeling pressure, could have done more but performed poor as well. She got out after three runs when Tahlia McGrath bowled to her. The end was nigh for New Zealand, hastened by Amanda-Jade Wellington’s (2-34) two wickets in two balls and Gardner’s (2-15) late effort.
When asked to sum up her team’s batting effort, Devine exclaimed, “poor”.
Australia was good with the bat on the field. Their inning was started by Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy. The beginning was slow and steady, which is most wanted way to open. Their partnership ended after 45 runs, following which Meg Lanning came along and got out shortly after five runs by Hayley Jensen’s wide delivery.
In came Ellyse Perry who formed the spine of the Australian recovery. She partnered with Mooney for a 57-run stand. After Amelia Kerr bowled to Mooney for a wicket at 30 runs, Tahlia McGrath became Perry’s solid partner.
Tahlia performed amazingly with a run rate of 101.78. She scored 57 runs in 56 balls to take Australia’s scoreboard over the top. Perry had a vital century partnership with Mooney first and then McGrath.
The veteran all-rounder Perry got out at 68 when Maddy Green sprinted and dived for a superb grab on the ropes. It was a great catch, bowled by Lea Tahuhu.
Gardner leaves all in awe
Ashleigh Gardner came in after McGrath and boosted the innings with her amazing performance. She made a fabulous 48 runs in just 18 balls, rolling out 4 fours and four sixes with an emphatic strike rate of 266.66.
Gardner was Covid positive on the eve of the tournament and had to leave her mandatory isolation for a training on Saturday. She made the most out of every ball that came in front of her and helped Aussies make a strong score.
Devine later remarked, “I guess that shows the quality of the Australian side. Even though we had them three or four down and had the run rate under control they were able to launch.”
Alana King and Amanda, later, got out after making 2 and 1 runs respectively. Gardner and Megan Schutt were not out till the end of the game.
Published by: Shivani Bhalke
Edited by: Subbuthai Padma
