Perry’s runs lead Aussies to victory despite nervy finish
Australia has started its T20 series against New Zealand with a nervy two-wicket win after Ellyse Perry hit 52 to set up the result.
New Zealand took the match right down to the wire with expert fielding as Kim Garth hit the winning runs in the second last over.
Ellyse Perry. Getty Images
“A highly entertaining game at North Sydney Oval to start this Rose Bowl series,” Alex Blackwell said on Fox Cricket.
Australia had an early win when returning captain Sophie Molineux won the toss and elected to bowl. However, she did confirm Phoebe Litchfield would miss another match due to a hip strain.
The start was brilliant for Australia with Floran Devonshire (1) bowled by Kim Garth and Melie Kerr (9) departing not long after in the seventh over whenshe was caught by Lucy Hamilton off Annabal Sutherland’s bowling.
Those wickets brought Maddy Green to the crease who then combined for a 127-run partnership with Georgia Plimmer.
Plimmer managed to carry her bat for 85 off 68 balls while Green had 56 not out off 37.
New Zealand finished at 2-162 and had a defendable target on the board with Sutherland the pick of the bowlers, taking 1-28.
At the 10th over mark, Australia looked solid in the chase despite Georgia Voll departing for a second ball duck at the top.
By the 10th, the Aussies were 2-102 following a 38 from Beth Mooney while Perry had moved to 52.
Perry was brought undone in the next over when she was caught by Izzy Sharp off Jess Kerr’s bowling.
That dismissal sparked a batting collapse as they went from 3-102 to 7-145 when Nicola Carey was run out following a mix-up with Tahlia McGrath.
Molineux (11) tried to get the match done quickly but was bowled by Rosemary Mair at 8-159.
Ultimately, Australia held on with Garth hitting a boundary through backward point to seal the win.
Kim Garth of Australia and Tahlia McGrath of Australia shake hands with White Ferns players. Getty Images
Post-match, Perry put the close finish down to quality bowling.
“It was lovely to spend some time out in the middle, particularly with Beth and putting on that partnership early. It felt like a really nice wicket, we eked over the line at the end there, but both sides bowled really well in those conditions, it’s pretty tricky to defend here,” she said.
“I think we were all OK (during the chase), we’re fortunate to have capable batters all through our lineup.
“It’s something we’ll probably chat about tomorrow and try to be more clinical in our finishing, but I think both sides have good bowling lineups so it makes for a good challenge.”
