New Zealand set themselves up for a place in the semi-finals of the women’s World Twenty20 with a six-wicket win over three-time defending champions Australia at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Monday.
Asked to bowl first, New Zealand restricted Australia to 103/8 before surpassing the target with 22 deliveries to spare in a Group A match.
New Zealand’s third win in a row has almost certainly assured Suzie Bates’ team a place in the semi-finals even before its last league match against South Africa in Bengaluru on March 26.
Australia, hoping to win a fourth successive title, have been left with just one win in two outings and matches in hand against Sri Lanka and Ireland.
Australia made a disastrous start after electing to bat, losing the first four wickets for as many runs by the fourth over. Kiwi off-spinner Leigh Kasperek removed Australian openers Elyse Villani and Alyssa Healy off successive balls in the second over, both to catches at mid-on.
Bates and her opening partner Rachel Priest gave New Zealand a rollicking start, putting on 58 for the first wicket by the eighth over. Priest hit 34 runs off 27 balls and Bates was run-out for 23. But Devine’s run-a-ball 17 ensured that New Zealand continued their recent good form against Australia.
Bates refused to accept that her team are the favourites to win a maiden women’s World Twenty20 title after beating the reigning champions.
Lanning admitted Australia were outplayed by New Zealand.
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