Incredible Aussies notch 13th straight T20 World Cup win as New Zealand belted
Updated . First published at
Australia thrashed trans-Tasman neighbours New Zealand to move a step closer to T20 World Cup semi finals.
The Aussies belted the White Ferns by 60 runs after reaching 8-148 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium thanks in large to Beth Mooney (40) and Ellyse Perry (30).
Megan Schutt and Annabel Sutherland then took three wickets apiece to roll New Zealand for 88 in 19.2 overs.
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Australia has now won 13 straight T20 World Cup matches. They are undefeated in Group A in this tournament.
The Aussies had been on track for a larger total until New Zealand bowler Amelia Kerr (4-26) kickstarted a fightback and the eventual winners lost 6-39 in the final 6.1 overs.
"It really ebbed and flowed in that first innings there," Schutt said.
Megan Schutt of Australia celebrates with teammate Alyssa Healy after dismissing Georgia Plimmer of New Zealand. Getty
"When we got off to a good start we probably thought 160, then 150, we lowered the (expected) total and we probably left a few (runs) out there to be honest."
Schutt's three wickets moved her ahead of South Africa's Shabnim Ismail as the leading wicket taker in women's T20 World Cup history.
The Aussie quick has now taken 46 wickets at the tournaments.
Her captain was full of praise.
"We could have been smarter with the bat at the end, but we came out really well with the ball and I'm really happy with that," Australia skipper Alyssa Healy said.
"Megan Schutt has been wonderful but I thought the whole attack tonight was unbelievable."
Australia next plays Pakistan in the early hours of Sunday morning AEDT.
