Australia 180/4 (Voll 75) defeat New Zealand 172/8 (Green 62, Kerr 66; Sutherland 4-35) by 8 runs
Australia withstood a thrilling fightback from Maddy Green to clinch a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series against world champions New Zealand in Wellington. New Zealand’s sloppy fielding, where they dropped Georgia Voll six times, was a major factor in their defeat.
When Sophie Devine was dismissed in the ninth over, New Zealand was struggling at 54 for 4 in their chase of 181. However, Green turned the match around with a blistering 29-ball fifty, her first in T20Is. In an impressive display of power hitting, she struck five sixes and added a New Zealand-record 99 for the fifth wicket with Amelia Kerr.
With 28 required from 15 balls, Green was dismissed by an exceptional direct hit from Georgia Wareham in the 19th over. Annabel Sutherland then claimed three wickets in four balls, with Wareham taking two key catches to help Australia close out the game. New Zealand needed 20 runs from the final over, but Brooke Halliday was unable to bat due to injury, sealing their fate.
The narrow margin of the win highlighted New Zealand’s missed chances, with Voll admitting her good fortune after the game. “Think I’m going to head to the Lotto store and buy one after this,” she joked.
Voll’s innings was the backbone of Australia’s total, as she scored 75 from 56 balls, partnering with Beth Mooney for 64 runs for the first wicket and Phoebe Litchfield for 54 for the second. Ellyse Perry’s quick-fire 32 off 19 balls and Tahlia McGrath’s 14 from five balls gave Australia a strong finish, with 109 runs coming off the last 10 overs.
New Zealand’s poor fielding displayed itself right from the first over, when Jess Kerr dropped a simple return catch off Voll after she had just cleared deep square leg for six. Later, Green shelled another opportunity at mid-on when Voll was on 13, and Rosemary Mair missed a chance at long-off, allowing Voll to reach her fifty.
Voll’s persistence, despite being frustrated at times, ensured Australia maintained a steady rate, finishing the powerplay on 43 without loss, while Mooney kept the score ticking. The fielding lapses, combined with Green’s strong resistance, made for a nail-biting finish, but Australia held their nerve.
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