Birmingham 7 August : The current 50-over world champions Australia continued to pound opposition in the Commonwealth Games here with New Zealand as their latest victim, edging out the Trans-Tasman rivals by five wickets to win an exciting title battle against India on Sunday.It was Australia’s capacity in batsmen that proved crucial in the final four match, with the usually dependable Alyssa Healy (14) and Meg Lanning (7) falling early in their pursuit of New Zealand’s competitive score of 144/7 in 20 overs.
All-rounder Tahlia McGregor (34) maintained her impressive form when she joined with opener Beth Mooney (36) for a partnership of 56 runs, before Ashleigh Gardner (19 not out) made use of her knowledge to guide Australia to victory with three balls left.
The final fall of Rachael Haynes to 19 leaves the Australians needing 16 from the 16 deliveries remaining however, Grace Harris (8 not out) joined Gardner at the crease and lifted Australia over the needed score with three balls left.
The White Ferns, as the New Zealand women’s cricket team is known as, had numerous chances to further penetrate into the Australian batting line-up.will be left with the plethora of missed chances in the field, which included dropping the skipper Lanning on the very first ball.
While Amelia Kerr’s missed catch against Lanning was not costly to New Zealand much, they also had to drop Mooney at the age of six, and McGrath when she was six and McGrath when she was just 14 years old.
It was a perfect example of what could be a win to be White Ferns, who got outstanding performances from captain Sophie Devine (53) and Kerr (40) and would have been delighted to have put up an impressive score after being asked to the first bat by Lanning.
Veteran Lea Tahuhu (3/20) bowled with intent and was recognized with several of important wickets, however, interruptions in concentration in the field were costly as Australia managed to get past the total in the last over.
Australia will face India to win the gold medal in Edgbaston on Sunday as New Zealand battle it out against hosts England to win the bronze medal earlier in the day.
While Australia will go into the gold medal game as a slight favourite the star batter Smriti Mandhana is in top performance for India and is capable of winning any match with her bat.
England will be hoping to rebound in the bronze medal game following their loss to India by only four runs in the first semi-final earlier in the day on Saturday.
Brief score: New Zealand Women 144/7 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 53, Amelia Kerr 40; Megan Schutt 3/20, Tahlia McGrath 2/3) defeated by Australia at 145/5 in 19.3 overs (Beth Mooney 36, Tahlia McGrath 34; Lea Tahuhu 3/20) by five wickets.
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