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Australia extended their impressive run against New Zealand, securing an emphatic 82-run victory in Tauranga, thereby clinching the three-match Twenty20 series with an insurmountable 2-0 lead.
Following their dominant eight-wicket triumph over the world champion White Ferns in Auckland on Friday, the Australian team maintained their momentum in the New Zealand capital.
Opening batter Beth Mooney once again delivered a stellar performance, propelling Australia to a formidable 3-204. Mooney’s blistering 70 off 42 balls followed her unbeaten 75 from two days prior, earning her player-of-the-match honors in her 200th international appearance.
New Zealand faced a daunting task, needing to achieve the second-highest successful run chase in women’s T20 history. However, their innings faltered early, losing captain Suzie Bates in the second over and quickly falling to 4-45.
Annabel Sutherland, who contributed an unbeaten 23 to Australia’s imposing total, also shone with the ball. She dismissed opener Georgia Plimmer and then claimed the prized wicket of veteran Sophie Devine for a golden duck. Sutherland’s impressive spell of 2.1 overs yielded career-best figures of 4-8, highlighting her exceptional all-round performance as the reigning Belinda Clark Award recipient.
Amelia Kerr offered solitary resistance for New Zealand, scoring 40 before succumbing to Australia’s leg-spinner Alana King (3-27), who had been omitted from the first T20 despite her series-winning performance in the Ashes earlier this year.
Mooney, filling in as wicketkeeper while Alyssa Healy recovers, forged a 57-run opening partnership with Georgia Voll (36), setting the tone for Australia’s dominant display. Kerr (1-27) was the most effective of New Zealand’s bowlers, but the home side managed only five wickets across the first two matches.
Post-Match Insights from Player of the Match, Beth Mooney:
“It’s great to contribute and find the middle of the bat. As I’m getting older, I need to adapt and improve. Having supportive people around me helps immensely. Bellsy [Sutherland] also had a fantastic game; she’d be just as deserving of this award. I’m focusing on hitting the ball with more conviction early on, and hopefully, that continues. Georgia [Voll] is in excellent form, and it’s fun to bat alongside her. The depth of young talent coming through keeps us senior players on our toes, which is a testament to our team culture and domestic competitions. The energy and enthusiasm from the younger players are fantastic to see.”
