Australia captain Alyssa Healy (L) is bowled watched by White Ferns wicket keeper Izzy Gaze during the 3rd ODI New Zealand White Ferns v Australia Rose Bowl ODI series at Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington, 23 December 2024. © Copyright image by Marty Melville / www.photosport.nz Photo: Supplied / Seed Waikato
The White Ferns have been caned by Australia by eight wickets at Eden Park in the opening match of their latest T20 series.
In the first match of the double-header at the Auckland ground - with the Black Caps playing Pakistan tonight - the New Zealanders scored 137 for two in their 20 overs, with Melie Kerr (51 not out) and Sophie Devine (39 not out) combining for a 90-run third wicket partnership.
But there was always the feeling that it would not be enough against the much vaunted Australian batters. And so it proved, with Georgia Voll and Beth Mooney blazing away from the outset, and the contest took on a one-sided look.
When Voll was out after getting her 50, the Australians were just 15 runs away from victory. Phoebe Litchfield went cheaply but Mooney, with 75 from 42 balls, guided the team home.
The second of the three T20 is at Bay Oval in Tauranga on Sunday, with the world champion New Zealand side left with plenty to ponder.
See how the game unfolded here.
