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5th over: New Zealand 36-1 (Kerr 9, Plimmer 14) Annabel Sutherland initiates her bowling stint with two crucial dot balls but follows up with a wide down the leg side. She then delivers a swift ball in the corridor, prompting Kerr to strike aggressively, yet only manages a single. This performance highlights the Australian all-rounder’s strong bowling skills.
4th over: New Zealand 36-1 (Kerr 9, Plimmer 14) Darcie Brown takes over the bowling. Plimmer attacks immediately, connecting well but unable to penetrate the field initially. She eventually secures a single and Kerr adds another run with a well-placed shot to the offside. Plimmer takes a risk, cutting but coming close to a fielder at third man. After a miss, she top-edges her next shot high into the air, a catchable opportunity for Grace Harris at long on, yet Harris loses sight of it in the sunlight, allowing Plimmer to continue her innings.
3rd over: New Zealand 30-1 (Kerr 6, Plimmer 11) Kim Garth returns to bowl, only for Plimmer to respond aggressively by striking a boundary. There’s a brief moment of confusion as Georgia Voll appears to save it, but it ultimately turns out to be a clean boundary. The home side is off to a strong start.
2nd over: New Zealand 20-1 (Kerr 6, Plimmer 1) Alana King has made an early breakthrough for Australia as Amelia Kerr smartly retaliates, hitting a powerful shot over mid-wicket. She adds a couple more runs to the total before the over concludes.
WICKET! Bates b King 12 (New Zealand 12-1)
Alana King delivers a crucial blow, the second ball of her over sees Suzie Bates castled as she attempts a cross-bat swipe. The good start by New Zealand comes to a sudden halt.
1st over: New Zealand 12-0 (Bates 12, Palmer 0) Kim Garth opens the proceedings for Australia against Suzie Bates. Bates begins confidently, with her second delivery driving the ball to the boundary for four runs. The home team manages to secure twelve runs in the first over, setting a competitive tone.
Australia sets New Zealand 205 to win in second T20I
In a commanding display, Australia has amassed a staggering total of 204 runs in the second T20 international at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. With New Zealand needing a record-breaking chase to equalize in the series, the stage is set for an exciting contest.
Leading the charge was Georgia Voll, who showcased her aggressive batting with a quick-fire 36 during the power play, while Beth Mooney’s steady 70 anchored the innings. The Australian opener was well-supported by Phoebe Litchfield, whose 32 helped catapult the team to a formidable score. The finishing touches were added by Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland, contributing to a rapid 52-run flurry in the final five overs.
As New Zealand seeks to even the series, fans eagerly await their response to this hefty target.
Updated at 04.30 CET
20th over: Australia 204-3 (Perry 29, Sutherland 23) Sophie Devine returns to bowl the final over, and Sutherland begins by gathering runs with two quick twos before hitting a bouncer over the keeper’s head for four. Sutherland’s attempt at another big shot results in just a single, while Perry shines, sending one over the offside boundary for four to finish the innings with another boundary.
That final push yielded 52 runs in the last five overs, leaving New Zealand a daunting target of 204!
19th over: Australia 187-3 (Perry 21, Sutherland 14) With two overs to spare, Rosemary Mair steps in in an effort to curtail Australia’s momentum. The over begins poorly with a dropped catch, allowing Sutherland to progress. Perry, however, finds the rhythm striking boundaries, putting pressure back on the bowling side.
18th over: Australia 177-3 (Perry 20, Sutherland 6) Perry resumes her aggressive approach against Jess Kerr, getting off the mark quickly with two strong boundaries, demonstrating her ability to capitalize on loose deliveries.
17th over: Australia 164-3 (Perry 12, Sutherland 3) Sutherland narrowly escapes an early dismissal when a review reveals no edge on her bat. She swiftly shakes off the scare, hitting a couple of runs before looking more comfortable.
WICKET! Mooney c Bates b A Kerr 70 (Australia 160-3)
Mooney’s brilliant innings comes to an end as she misjudges a shot off Amelia Kerr and is caught at mid-on. This marks the end of an impressive 25th half-century in her T20 career.
16th over: Australia 159-2 (Mooney 70, Perry 10) Mooney continues her impressive run with a well-placed shot down leg side for another boundary, while demonstrating exceptional batting finesse with a ramp shot to secure a couple more runs.
Updated at 04.01 CET
15th over: Australia 148-2 (Mooney 61, Perry 8) Mooney reaches a critical milestone with her fifty, marking her 25th in T20s. She extends her remarkable form by incorporating some stylish boundaries as Australia increases the scoring rate.
Updated at 03.57 CET
14th over: Australia 134-2 (Mooney 48, Perry 7) Jess Kerr’s return introduces Perry to the crease, who promptly announces her presence with a boundary, demonstrating her ability to make an immediate impact.
WICKET! Phoebe Litchfield c A.Kerr b J.Kerr 32 (Australia 126-2)
Litchfield falls to a slower delivery from Jess Kerr, leading to a straightforward catch at mid-on, unable to maintain her aggressive streak.
13th over: Australia 125-1 (Mooney 46, Litchfield 32) Mooney maintains her rich vein of form, adding another boundary, showcasing consistency as she continues to build on the Australian innings.
Updated at 03.46 CET
12th over: Australia 117-1 (Mooney 40, Litchfield 30) Another bowling change sees Rosemary Mair come back into the attack, but Litchfield remains undeterred, demonstrating her class with an effortless four.
11th over: Australia 105-1 (Mooney 36, Litchfield 24) Suzie Bates enters the fray to bowl, aiming to provide the much-needed breakthrough, and she displays her experience to tie Mooney down momentarily.
10th over: Australia 99-1 (Mooney 36, Litchfield 22) Mooney’s impressive performance continues as she finds gaps in the field, further boosting Australia’s confidence.
9th over: Australia 88-1 (Mooney 27, Litchfield 21) Amelia Kerr’s return brings some pressure, but Mooney and Litchfield prove adept at rotating the strike effectively.
8th over: Australia 81-1 (Mooney 26, Litchfield 16) New Zealand’s bowlers struggle with control, allowing Litchfield to capitalize on loose deliveries.
7th over: Australia 72-1 (Mooney 23, Litchfield 10) Following a more tempered phase, the visitors adjust their approach to maintain a steady run rate as they leave the power play behind.
Updated at 03.24 CET
6th over: Australia 67-1 (Mooney 20, Litchfield 8) A fresh face in the Australian line-up, Phoebe Litchfield, begins her innings with flair and finds boundaries through a brilliant shot that showcases her potential.
WICKET! Voll c Inglis b Devine 36 (Australia 57-1)
Georgia Voll’s innings comes to an end as she edges a short delivery into the hands of the waiting fielder, following what had been a dynamic start for Australia.
Updated at 03.12 CET
5th over: Australia 57-0 (Mooney 20, Voll 36) Olimiting pressure from New Zealand, Mooney and Voll’s partnership continues to thrive with smart running and effective shot placement.
4th over: Australia 43-0 (Mooney 9, Voll 33) With a new bowler in action, Voll capitalizes especially as the deliveries stray off line, connecting brilliantly to drive Australia forward.
3rd over: Australia 32-0 (Mooney 9, Voll 23) Jess Kerr faces Mooney, who swiftly dispatches the ball over mid-on, keeping the scoreboard ticking while Voll joins the party with her powerful strikes.
2nd over: Australia 22-0 (Mooney 4, Voll 18) Eden Carson’s introduction sees a wary approach from the batsmen, though Voll remains aggressive, not hesitating to score runs.
1st over: Australia 8-0 (Mooney 3, Voll 5) The stage is set for the Australian openers, and they start positively, taking advantage of the early overs to signal their intent for the match.
As the players take to the field under clear skies at Mount Maunganui, both teams are eyeing victory in this crucial T20 match. The spectators are treated to a stirring rendition of the Australian national anthem as the atmosphere builds.
Updated at 03.33 CET
The New Zealand squad tasked with leveling the series includes: Suzie Bates (c), Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Jess Kerr, Polly Inglis (wk), Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson.
In earlier matchups, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first, fielding a robust lineup that adjusted following the injury to Ash Gardner with leg-spinner Alana King stepping into her role.
Preamble
Cricket enthusiasts are in for an exciting showdown in the second women’s T20 international between Australia and New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. With Australia leading the three-match series 1-0 after an emphatic win in the first match, New Zealand is determined to bounce back and equalize the series.
Australia’s previous victory was marked by a fierce partnership between Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll, whose dynamic performance was instrumental in holding off the reigning T20 world champions. However, the win did come at a cost for Australia, losing Ash Gardner to injury, prompting adjustments to the squad for this crucial encounter.
This match marks a significant moment, as it is the first T20 I for Australia at this venue — a place they have previously found success in ODIs. The stage is set for an exciting clash as the teams vie for supremacy in this thrilling format.
Source
www.theguardian.com