Summary
Thank you for joining me this afternoon, and Martin earlier in the day. We’ll see you back here bright and early on Monday for more, but in the meantime here is the report from Australia’s victory.
It was a comprehensive victory set up by Annabel Sutherland’s stunning 105 from just 81 balls – her second ODI ton in succession. Four other Australians reached 25 or more but none pressed on to a major contribution.
Australia were tidy with the ball without being spectacular. Kim Garth (2/17) was the pick, finding some lovely away swing from tight to the stumps.
New Zealand were also on the wrong end of a couple of marginal calls, notably Ash Gardner’s borderline catch to dismiss Suzie Bates, and Amelia Kerr’s run out that was determined by a single frame of the TV replay and the illumination of the zing bails.
The victory guarantees Australia retain the Rose Bowl following the washout of the first ODI. The third and final match of the series is on Monday back here at the Basin Reserve.
Australia win by 65 runs (DLS)
The result has been called in Wellington. With the covers still on and the scheduled close of play just 10 minutes away Australia have been declared winners by 65 runs courtesy of the Duckworth Lewis Stern method.
A clump of very heavy showers is passing through Wellington from the north. When these pass there remain some further, lighter showers on the radar. Already 5:30pm in New Zealand’s capital, I’d suggest the chances of further play today are slim.
The rain is now pounding the Basin Reserve, accompanied by loud cracks of thunder. Time is sure to be taken out of this match, it just remains how much. I’ll keep you posted.
I don’t have the DLS numbers in front of me, but rest assured New Zealand are miles behind on those calculations. If there is no further play today Australia win comfortably.
Rain Stops Play
30.1 over: New Zealand 122-5 (Green 26, Down 0) Target 292: We know NZ are strong at T20 and their equation is 174 from the final 20 overs of this contest.
That is if we get 20 more overs, because after just one delivery of the 31st over, the players are hurried off as lightning strikes are spotted overhead with a downpour imminent.
30th over: New Zealand 118-5 (Green 22, Down 0) Target 292: Green shows a change of intent, lofting Schutt off a length over mid-on for a couple then pulling from throat height behind square for a rare boundary.
Rain is on its way.
Updated
29th over: New Zealand 111-5 (Green 15, Down 0) Target 292: Victory now appears a formality for Australia, it just remains to be seen with how much aggression New Zealand go down.
WICKET! Kerr run out (Litchfield) 38 (New Zealand 111-5)
Catastrophe for New Zealand! With Alana King called into the attack Kerr and Green continue to work the ball around for ones and twos, but they attempt one quick single too many with Litchfield alert in the covers and Mooney sharp behind the stumps to execute a run out. The third umpire took an age confirming the dismissal, which came down to literally one frame. It was a tough call but Kerr has to go for 38 off 55 deliveries.
28th over: New Zealand 108-4 (A Kerr 35, Green 15) Target 292: Schutt is recalled to the attack and New Zealand work away four singles from the crease. This partnership is now 32 from 51 balls and the required run-rate is up to 8.5 rpo. The home side are going to have to grasp the nettle soon.
27th over: New Zealand 104-4 (A Kerr 33, Green 13) Target 292: Sutherland bowls a heavier ball than New Zealand would prefer and it almost proves Green’s downfall when she mistimes a pull. They are shots that the Kiwis need to go for though as this run chase continues to drift away from them.
26th over: New Zealand 101-4 (A Kerr 32, Green 11) Target 292: Very middle overs territory as New Zealand nurdle Gardner away for four singles. The required run-rate is now pretty much 8 rpo as those threatening clouds continue to mass around the Basin Reserve.
25th over: New Zealand 97-4 (A Kerr 30, Green 9) Target 292: Sutherland’s pace replaces Brown’s pace in the attack but the centurion loses her line and Green profits from the width cutting behind square for a rare boundary.
24th over: New Zealand 92-4 (A Kerr 29, Green 5) Target 292: Better intent from the home side with both batters scooping nicely, but they’re only dealing in ones and twos, which isn’t enough to keep them in the frame chasing such a daunting total.
Updated
23rd over: New Zealand 87-4 (A Kerr 25, Green 4) Target 292: Kerr is fortunate to survive after a mistimed pull fails to reach Healy at midwicket. Then a couple of misfields gift New Zealand three runs.
The DLS par score for the hosts is 151 as dark clouds start to gather around the ground. Australia are firmly in control.
22nd over: New Zealand 84-4 (A Kerr 24, Green 2) Target 292: New Zealand struggle to work Gardner off the square with the leggie conceding just a couple of singles despite not much happening off the surface for Australia’s premier spinner.
21st over: New Zealand 82-4 (A Kerr 23, Green 1) Target 292: Just a single to Maddy Green from Brown’s tidiest over of her spell so far.
20th over: New Zealand 81-4 (A Kerr 23, Green 0) Target 292: Kerr shows the departed Halliday how it’s done, sashaying down the track and lofting Gardner on the half-volley back over the bowler’s head for a one-bounce four. The Kiwi opener is going to have play a spectacular innings if New Zealand are going to stand any chance of taking this game deep.
WICKET! Halliday c Sutherland b Gardner 7 (New Zealand 76-4)
Time for spin. Ashleigh Gardner is into the attack, and she jags a wicket from her third delivery! Ball two had some extra bounce, so Halliday tries to get to the pitch of the next, fails, and slashes a top edge to Sutherland at point. Australia cruising.
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19th over: New Zealand 76-3 (A Kerr 19, Halliday 7) Target 292: Brown has looked the least likely of Australia’s quicks today, and New Zealand continue to milk her wayward line and length for ones and twos.
18th over: New Zealand 70-3 (A Kerr 18, Halliday 3) Target 292: Perry drops short so Kerr rocks back and pulls away forcefully for what is destined to become a boundary but for some superb outfielding from King – who has already taken an excellent catch today. The right-left combination is starting to work for New Zealand with some good running keeping the scoreboard ticking over. With big hits at a premium against such a quality attack, this is going to be essential to keep the home side in the contest.
17th over: New Zealand 65-3 (A Kerr 15, Halliday 1) Target 292: Darcie Brown is the fifth seam bowler called into the attack and New Zealand pick up five risk-free runs from an over lacking control of line or length.
16th over: New Zealand 60-3 (A Kerr 12, Halliday 0) Target 292: All the pressure now on Amelia Kerr, who is treading water on 12 from 24 deliveries. Australia can calmly turn the screw knowing they have the game very much on their terms.
WICKET! Devine c Mooney b Perry 15 (New Zealand 60-3)
Perry just a little straight and New Zealand rotate strike comfortably. But then Devine goes! Too full and straight to cut, but she plays with an angled bat nonetheless and gets a healthy nick through to Mooney behind the stumps. Massive wicket for Australia. Devine looked assertive, and with her goes not only her runs, but a massive hit to the DLS par score.
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15th over: New Zealand 58-2 (A Kerr 11, Devine 14) Target 292: Just a couple of singles from Sutherland’s fourth over.
Drinks in Wellington with Australia well on top but wary of Devine, who looks in good nick.
We’ve escaped the rain so far, but we’re now entering what is forecast to be the portion of the day most at risk of being interrupted by showers.
14th over: New Zealand 56-2 (A Kerr 10, Devine 13) Target 292: Ellyse Perry isn’t a bad second change option for Australia but she’s fortunate an opening full toss is cracked straight back at her by Devine. A foot either side would have been a boundary. Perry responds by beating the bat with a perfect line and length and a hint of movement off the pitch. Devine then somehow manufactures a boundary behind point from a delivery that jags into her off the pitch and looks perilously close to a chop-on, but comes off the cue end of the bat into the pitch and beats the field. A second boundary completes the over, and this time Devine does club a full toss straight back down the ground.
13th over: New Zealand 48-2 (A Kerr 10, Devine 5) Target 292: Lovely square drive for four gets Devine off the mark. When she gets her fast hands through the ball she looks so imposing, even against the pace of Sutherland. She repeats the stroke later in the over but this time it finds a newly-stationed Australian sweeping the cover fence.
Skip hits the ball hard! Sophie Devine underway in Wellington. Follow LIVE and free in NZ on @TVNZ + & DUKE 📺 and @SportNationNZ 📻 Live scoring | https://t.co/NhaKkwIivk #NZvAUS #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/OByLDzyQz1
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) December 21, 2024
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12th over: New Zealand 41-2 (A Kerr 9, Devine 0) Target 292: Tighter line from Garth to Devine and her consistency earns her a maiden with the veteran Kiwi remaining watchful early in her innings.
11th over: New Zealand 41-2 (A Kerr 9, Devine 0) Target 292: Huge partnership now for New Zealand with Australia chipping out a couple of wickets and keeping the scoreboard under control in the early stages. And that’s a good omen for Kerr, flicking fine for four as Sutherland concedes her first runs from her tenth delivery.
WICKET! James c King b Garth 27 (New Zealand 37-2)
Kerr remains circumspect against Garth, finally getting off strike with an inside edge. James is more confident, and gets away with a lusty cut that flies off the top edge and over the cordon for four. That same edge does for James the following delivery though when she tries to play to leg, but gets a leading edge thanks to Garth’s wobble, and it carries all the way to King at midwicket, who takes an excellent running catch, holding on at full length following the flight of the ball.
10th over: New Zealand 37-2 (A Kerr 5) Target 292
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9th over: New Zealand 32-1 (James 23, A Kerr 4) Target 292: First change of the day for Australia with centurion Annabel Sutherland coming into the attack, and she immediately beats James for pace outside off stump. It begins a maiden over of full straight deliveries.
8th over: New Zealand 32-1 (James 23, A Kerr 4) Target 292: Kerr is off the mark with an uncontrolled slash at catchable height between slips and gully. She’s then watchful to a succession of deliveries arcing away from the bat that would be fraught with danger should she go near them.
7th over: New Zealand 28-1 (James 23, A Kerr 0) Target 292: Schutt beats the bat with a slower legspinner so James responds by crunching a square drive with a satisfying whipcrack noise off the bat. The ding-dong tussle continues with Schutt thinking she has her foe trapped leg before, but the umpire disagrees. Australia REVIEW. The first question is was it pad first or bat? Pad. Where was impact? Umpire’s call outside the line, so James survives and Australia retain their review. The Kiwi is quickly back into her work, clipping a couple off her pads.
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6th over: New Zealand 22-1 (James 17, A Kerr 0) Target 292: Australia’s fielders saw that as a routine catch, but there was enough doubt for Bates to wait for the umpires to adjudicate. Garth’s line and length, finding that away swing, is going to be very testing all afternoon.
WICKET! Bates c Gardner 4 (New Zealand 22-1)
Bates is really struggling to get bat on ball and in her desperation to get off the mark advances down the pitch and is almost bowled around her legs by the accurate Garth. And after 15 dots, finally Bates connects. Again she steps down the pitch, but crucially she stays legside of the ball and flat bats over mid-on for a powerful four. But then… is she out next ball? Garth finds the edge, Gardner drops low to her right in the gully and rises confidently to claim the catch, but it looked very close tot he ground in real time, so the appeal is sent upstairs. The camera angles available to the third umpire are not especially helpful, but they see enough to trust the fielder got her fingers underneath the ball and confirm the dismissal!
5th over: New Zealand 18-0 (Bates 0, James 17) Target 292: James looks to the manor born, smoking a Schutt long hop for a huge six over square leg. She picked the length early and executed a textbook pull shot. Not so a couple of balls later. She shapes to play the same shot but the length is fuller and all James can do is scoop a top edge that is fortunate to land over square leg. Then she’s DROPPED in the gully. It was sharp, but just to the right of Gardner, who got two hands to the effort falling to her right. Let off for NZ.
SIX! Bella James' first boundary in international cricket is a pull shot for 6. Follow LIVE and free in NZ on @TVNZ + & DUKE 📺 and @SportNationNZ 📻 Live scoring | https://t.co/NhaKkwIivk #NZvAUS #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/YFWIBqAEKY
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) December 21, 2024
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4th over: New Zealand 8-0 (Bates 0, James 7) Target 292: Schutt is moving the ball appreciably into the New Zealand openers from wide on the crease while Garth is arcing the ball away from tight to the stumps. The latter is beating the bat at will, hitting a good length and inviting the drive. A rare delivery on the pads allows James to clip a neat two to backward square leg.
3rd over: New Zealand 5-0 (Bates 0, James 4) Target 292: To the in-swinging Schutt the field is 5-4 and much straighter, including a catching short mid-on. James is adjusting to international cricket nicely, waiting back in her crease to dab a couple down to third and a single behind point. Bates is looking less assured, remaining on nought from 11 deliveries after playing and missing inside the line.
2nd over: New Zealand 2-0 (Bates 0, James 1) Target 292: Kim Garth shares the new ball. She has a 7-2 field with two slips and a gully, but none of them are in play as James scores her first run in international cricket with an inside edge that dribbles down to fine leg for a single. Garth then rips a jaffa past Bates that pitches on middle and wobbles past Bates’ outside edge and the top of off stump. Garth delivers from very close to the stumps, bringing LBW into play, as well as maximising any available away swing to the right-handers. She uses that to good effect to rap Bates on the front pad outside the line, then swing one past the drive. Promising start for Australia.
1st over: New Zealand 1-0 (Bates 0, James 0) Target 292: Schutt is bowling from wide on the crease, over the wicket, angling the ball into the right-handed Bates, as well as finding some seam movement back into the veteran. The only run is a legside wide, and the only half-chance a leading edge from Bates that doesn’t carry into Schutt’s follow through after she was caught checking her stroke from a shorter ball that held up in the surface.
Alyssa Healy is revving up her troops in a huddle on the boundary ready for the second half of this contest. She will skipper from the outfield today instead of behind the stumps.
For New Zealand, the experienced Suzie Bates strides out to the crease, joined by Bella James. They will have Megan Schutt and a new white ball to deal with.
How good is Australia’s 291? It’s the fourth highest ever in ODIs against New Zealand.
A suite of Sutherland stats for you, courtesy of the incomparable @Hypocaust.
Only two women have made two centuries when batting at #5 or lower in their ODI career. Marizanne Kapp (from 99 innings) Annabel Sutherland (19 innings).
Youngest Australian woman to make three ODI centuries: 20y 267d Meg Lanning, 23y 70d Annabel Sutherland, 26y 22d Karen Rolton.
Today’s century by Sutherland was the seventh fastest by an Australian in ODI cricket.
Sutherland has long been destined for greatness and at just 23 years old she now averages 46 with the bat and 21 with the ball in ODIs.
Thank you Martin. This Australian team really is full of weapons, and this was a prime example of backing at least one member of the extraordinarily deep batting order to fire in testing conditions to set a difficult total. It’s hard to imagine New Zealand making 292 against the Australian attack on a surface doing a bit, but there are some showers around, and batting second allows them some wiggle room to play to the DLS par score should that become relevant.
Annabel Sutherland has guided Australia to another ominous first-innings total with a sublime century for her second in as many matches. The 23-year-old went through the gears as the White Ferns were regularly able to break up Australian partnerships whenever they threatened to get out of hand, until Sutherland unleashed at the death and took the total to 291-7.
Molly Penfold did the damage for New Zealand with career-best figures of four for 42 that included the key wickets of Healy, Perry, Mooney and McGrath. The pacer might have had an even stronger hand of five if not for grassing a tough caught and bowled chance off Sutherland in her last over. There was plenty of movement for the New Zealand quicks while their spinners were hit and miss, so it will be interesting to see how Australia take to the conditions.
I’ll leave you there with Jonathan Howcroft to steer us home. Thanks for following, but do stick around for what should be an intriguing New Zealand chase.
Straight from the top draw. Annabel Sutherland's brilliant hundred powers us to a good total in tricky conditions!
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) December 21, 2024
Scorecard: https://t.co/MgpsQr5t3X pic.twitter.com/B7hbHF4ScY
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Australia set New Zealand a target of 292
50th over: Australia 291-7 (Sutherland 105, Garth 11) Sutherland gets her century and Garth completes a fine cameo undefeated as Australia stretch the target to 292 runs. Rosemary Mair finishes with 1 for 56 which is a touch harsh on the White Ferns pacer.
Annabel Sutherland reaches a century
The all-rounder makes it back-to-back ODI tons with two runs through cover. The 23-year-old has again been the standout batter as her hot form continues with a ton from 78 deliveries with two sixes and 11 boundaries.
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49th over: Australia 278-7 (Sutherland 98, Garth 6) Devine turns to her trust in spin late in the Australia innings with Kerr to send down the second-last over. Sutherland pummels two more boundaries before looking to bring up her century with a drive over cover. The Australian can only take a thick edge and set off for a quick single as Garth is almost caught short while failing to slide her bat. It’s the closest of calls but the third umpire says the bat was grounded. Another little let-off for the tourists.
48th over: Australia 267-7 (Sutherland 88, Garth 4) Eden Carson continues but has been kept in the attack a little too long as Sutherland goes bang! Two sixes in the over, both crunching drives over mid-on that clear the rope with ease. 19 runs from the over as Sutherland closes in on a ton and Australia edge towards 300 with 12 legal deliveries to come.
47th over: Australia 248-7 (Sutherland 71, Garth 3) Molly Penfold returns to bowl her final over and chase a first ODI five-for. The pacer almost has it not once, not twice, but thrice, as three chances go begging. The best was a caught and bowled opportunity off the ever-dangerous Sutherland who clubs a straight drive hard enough for it to bounce out of Penfold’s hands. Either side of that are a couple of skyward strokes on the leg-side, the first falling just out of Kerr’s reach at deep midwicket for four. The last ball of the over drops just short and bounces off the fielder’s knee and into the rope. Penfold finishes with 4 four 42 but there will be a hint of frustration.
46th over: Australia 239-7 (Sutherland 63, Garth 2) Kim Garth joins Sutherland at the crease as Alana King is trapped in front and Carson continues to cause problems in the second half of the innings.
WICKET! King lbw b Carson 8 (Australia 236-7)
Eden Carson traps a retreating Alana King dead in front and the finger is raised. But was the ball doing too much? King is quick to review especially with few overs remaining in the innings. The replay shows the ball would’ve crashed into the top of leg-stump. Good call from the umpire.
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45th over: Australia 236-6 (Sutherland 62, King 8) Melie Kerr continues and is unfortunate to still be without a wicket after nine quality overs. King somehow survives after stepping back and flailing with a square drive but only getting an inside edge that bounces twice towards the off-stump before rounding it and ending up in the keeper’s gloves. Australia still pick up five from the over.
44th over: Australia 231-6 (Sutherland 59, King 7) Sutherland scoops Devine for a smart and seemingly effortless boundary. The White Ferns skipper is more aggressive to King and digs in a shorter ball that the leg-spinners spins wildly at without being close to getting bat on ball. The runs are flowing freely enough for the Australians though.
43rd over: Australia 222-6 (Sutherland 53, King 4) Melie Kerr marks out her run as it is hard to keep up with all the bowling changes. Australia half-preserving wickets now as they find easy singles with seven overs still to face.
42nd over: Australia 217-6 (Sutherland 50, King 2) New Zealand go for the jugular as Rosemary Mair returns with only two overs up her sleeve. Sutherland works the ball around the gaps to reach fifty after amassing a scoring century in her previous ODI innings against India.
41st over: Australia 212-6 (Sutherland 47, King 0) Molly Penfold improves on her career-best figures with a fourth scalp and each have come at a critical time for the White Ferns. McGrath had started opening up and blazed away for a boundary before biting off too much late in the over with Penfold in devastating form and the ball moving.
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WICKET! McGrath b Penfold 34 (Australia 211-6)
Molly Penfold has her fourth and it might be her best yet. The pacer hits the ideal spot back of a length as the ball angles through McGrath’s bat and body. The Australian is nowhere near that one and is clean bowled.
Through the gate and BOWLED! Molly Penfold claims her fourth wicket. Follow LIVE and free in NZ on @TVNZ + & DUKE 📺 and @SportNationNZ 📻 Live scoring | https://t.co/NhaKkwIivk #NZvAUS #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/4Kj57T55B2
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) December 21, 2024
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40th over: Australia 206-5 (Sutherland 46, McGrath 30) McGrath opens up with back-to-back boundaries – not for the first time today – to end the over from Carson. Australia pass the 200 mark with 10 overs up their sleeve but the tail arguably just a wicket away for the White Ferns.
39th over: Australia 195-5 (Sutherland 44, McGrath 21) Penfold back into the attack as the White Ferns look to break up another threatening partnership. Devine has been on point with her changes and Penfold still looks like the most dangerous bowler but goes for a couple of singles this time.
38th over: Australia 193-5 (Sutherland 43, McGrath 20) Carson with another fine over and the off-spinner is really impressing now after a worrying start. Three singles from the over.
37th over: Australia 190-5 (Sutherland 42, McGrath 18) Suzie Bates is next White Ferns part-time – these days at least – to have a trundle. The veteran’s off-spin isn’t enough to trouble the Australian pair who work her around the field until Sutherland smacks a boundary to square leg.
36th over: Australia 181-5 (Sutherland 35, McGrath 17) Carson being treated with more respect now after claiming a wicket and with New Zealand turning to part-timers at the other end.
35th over: Australia 179-5 (Sutherland 34, McGrath 16) Back-to-back boundaries from McGrath as the vice-captain lifts the run-rate without taking any risks. McGrath simply uses the pace of the ball to pick up runs on either side behind the stumps as seamer Brooke Halliday goes for 12 runs off her first over.
34th over: Australia 167-5 (Sutherland 32, McGrath 6) Devine brings herself back into the attack with a new batter at the crease and finds McGrath’s edge as the batter drives hard. With no slip in place the ball races barely past the keep and fine to the boundary.
33rd over: Australia 161-5 (Sutherland 31, McGrath 1) Carson fights back after being taken for 25 runs from her opening three overs. The off-spinner claims the critical wicket of Gardner in her best over yet. Australia vice-captain Tahlia McGrath is in earlier than they would have hoped.
WICKET! Gardner b Carson 19 (Australia 160-5)
Once again the White Ferns strike just as the game looks like getting away from them. Eden Carson has been a target for Australia through her three-and-a-bit overs but gets some redemption with a wonderful delivery to fellow offie Ash Gardner. The Australian drives too far from her body as the ball drifts and spins towards her seemingly less than expected.
Bowled! Off-spinner to off-spinner, Eden Carson dismisses Ash Gardner (19). Follow LIVE and free in NZ on @TVNZ + & DUKE 📺 and @SportNationNZ 📻 Live scoring | https://t.co/NhaKkwIivk #NZvAUS #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/ReQMutoTAe
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) December 21, 2024
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32nd over: Australia 158-4 (Sutherland 30, Gardner 18) Another opportunity goes begging for New Zealand and they are paying the price for a lack of sharpness in the field. Substitute fielder Jess Kerr dives low to her left at mid-on but can’t get a hand to the ball as it races away to the boundary. That was a half-chance but the White Ferns need to start holding some of those if they’ re going to match the world champions.
31st over: Australia 153-4 (Sutherland 26, Gardner 17) Sutherland goes after Carson who has been a target throughout much of the Australia innings. The Australian picks up a pair of twos then ends the over with a controlled loft that reaches the rope.
30th over: Australia 143-4 (Sutherland 16, Gardner 17) Typically clever captaincy from Devine as the pace of Mair is called back into the attack on the brink of the drinks break and with this partnership getting away from the White Ferns. The Australians find runs through the gaps without taking any real risks.
29th over: Australia 139-4 (Sutherland 16, Gardner 13) Gardner slogs powerfully for another boundary as ominous signs start to appear for the White Ferns. The hosts have done well to dismiss any Australians that have been able to make a start but as much as any these are the two batters that they wouldn’t want to go on and make a big score.
28th over: Australia 134-4 (Sutherland 16, Gardner 8) Devine’s seamers lock down the Australian pair until Sutherland slices a square drive to the rope.
27th over: Australia 128-4 (Sutherland 11, Gardner 7) Kerr continues with mid-on up inside the circle allowing Gardner to loft a straight drive into space over the back. That forces a change in the field after clever batting from the Australian. Sutherland sweeps hard at a fuller delivery but a mis-timed swipe goes to backward square for two runs.
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26th over: Australia 120-4 (Sutherland 8, Gardner 2) Sutherland clobbers a pull shot over midwicket for four. That was all power with little backswing and comes just one ball after the batter had almost nicked behind.
25th over: Australia 114-4 (Sutherland 2, Gardner 2) Just the one run from Kerr’s neat over of leg-spin as Australia reach the halfway mark with 114 runs on the board. The White Ferns will be pleased with that.
24th over: Australia 113-4 (Sutherland 1, Gardner 2) Penfold starts with the prized wicket of Mooney then dishes up a mixed bag to Gardner. The Australian flicks off the pads for two to backward point, then nicks off trying to drive the next delivery. The ball falls short and wide of James who is still being trusted as the only slip.
WICKET! Mooney c James b Penfold 14 (Australia 110-4)
Molly Penfold has her third wicket and her best figures in ODIs. Mooney drives away from her body but can only slice the ball to Bella James at point. The debutant will be as relieved as anything to hold onto that after dropping a couple of earlier chances.
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23rd over: Australia 110-3 (Mooney 14, Sutherland 1) New Zealand keep swinging the bowling changes with Kerr taking over from Carson. Mooney is on the move to give herself space to pick up an easy single on the off-side. The right-hander ends the over with a powerful sweep that perhaps went too hard as the fielder on the fence restricts the Australians to one run.
22nd over: Australia 107-3 (Mooney 12, Sutherland 0) Penfold takes the ball from Mair and picks up her second scalp. Once again it is well-timed as Perry was just starting to light up her attack.
WICKET! Perry c Gaze b Penfold 29 (Australia 107-3)
Ellyse Perry punishes a short ball with a pull to the boundary but is out next ball with another delivery that pitches back of a length stays a wide. Perry swipes but can only take an edge for a simple catch to the keeper Gaze.
Pace strikes again! Ellyse Perry (29) is caught behind by Izzy Gaze. Molly Penfold claims her 2nd. Follow LIVE and free in NZ on @TVNZ + & DUKE 📺 and @SportNationNZ 📻 Live scoring | https://t.co/NhaKkwIivk #NZvAUS #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/zRbACEoWXQ
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) December 20, 2024
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21st over: Australia 101-2 (Perry 25, Mooney 11) Carson drifts too far down the leg-side but fellow keeper Mooney is awake to the threat of a stumping. The Australian pair pick up an easy single apiece as Mooney punishes another loose delivery heading down leg from the final delivery. A subtle sweep sends the ball fine and our of Maddy Green’s diving reach to the rope.
20th over: Australia 94-2 (Perry 24, Mooney 6) DROPPED! Mair angles the ball across Mooney with two points and a gully in place. Bella James dives low and to her left and grasses another chance. That’s two dropped catches from the debutant. Maybe the ball is a bit slippery with the rain but James’ mind must be racing. Perry is picking up singles with ease as it’s Mooney now getting her eye in.
19th over: Australia 91-2 (Perry 23, Mooney 5) Eden Carson brings more spin into the attack. The off-spinner throws the ball up to tempt Perry but the batter is up to the task with a hard and flat straight drive that clears a ducking Mooney’s head to the rope. I don’t mean to alarm you, but there is a hint of rain falling. Thankfully, the players look keen to continue.
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18th over: Australia 83-2 (Perry 17, Mooney 3) Mair still has the ball moving through the air. The White Ferns pacer ends the over slicing through Perry as the all-rounder cuts when the ball was too close to her body.
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17th over: Australia 82-2 (Perry 17, Mooney 2) Perry dances down the pitch to smack Kerr back over head for one bounce and over the rope. The Australia all-rounder has been holding back until now but that was a reminder of her class and power.
16th over: Australia 76-2 (Perry 12, Mooney 1) Mair strikes after the drinks break and the White Ferns are right back in this. Beth Mooney is the new batter at the crease and immediately picks up a single with a nudge to point.
WICKET! Litchfield c Gaze b Mair 25 (Australia 74-2)
Rosemary Mair into the attack and dismisses Phoebe Litchfield second ball. There ball is angled across the left-hander with swing taking it from middle stump to take a decent edge on the way through. Litchfield was only just starting to get going but is now back in the sheds.
Phoebe Litchfield edges one behind and is caught by Izzy Gaze. Rosemary Mair gets her first wicket of the day! Follow LIVE and free in NZ on @TVNZ + & DUKE 📺 and @SportNationNZ 📻 Live scoring | https://t.co/NhaKkwIivk #NZvAUS #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/2hOj3HdF2S
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) December 20, 2024
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15th over: Australia 69-1 (Litchfield 23, Perry 8) Plenty of variety from Kerr as the Australian batters are happy to stand up and defend with the drinks break in sight.
14th over: Australia 69-1 (Litchfield 23, Perry 8) Perry hammers Devine through square leg for four after the star all-rounder has bided her time. The Australian pair are able to pick up easy singles with the field spreading out even as the tourists are taking it slow and steady.
13th over: Australia 62-1 (Litchfield 21, Perry 3) DROPPED! Debutant Bella James grasses a very tough chance at slip as Melie Kerr comes into the attack. That was a tough one as Litchfield stepped onto the back foot to defend but could only take a thick edge. The left-hander makes the White Ferns pay with a pair of boundaries as she starts to lift the run-rate.
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12th over: Australia 52-1 (Litchfield 12, Perry 2) A big appeal as Devine starts the ball on off-stump and it drifts towards leg to strike Perry on the pads. The White Ferns skipper chooses not to review and it was the right decision with a clear inside edge. Litchfield is fortunate to clear mid-on when trying to hit towards the off-side as the ball bounces away for four.
11th over: Australia 47-1 (Litchfield 8, Perry 1) Penfold sends down another controlled over, save for a wide that drifted away on the off-side. Otherwise it was six dot balls to Perry.
10th over: Australia 45-1 (Litchfield 8, Perry 0) Litchfield starts the over with a couple of runs off her pads but Devine returns to a testing line and length from there. The White Ferns have bounced back from a horror start to restrict Australia to only 45 runs from the powerplay when it looked set to be much more with Healy in full flight.
9th over: Australia 43-1 (Litchfield 6, Perry 0) New Zealand will be pleased to see the back of Healy after the Australia skipper threatened to take the game away from them. There is little let up with Ellyse Perry coming in at No 3 but the all-rounder makes a watchful start as Penfold finds a nice line outside off-stump.
WICKET! Healy c Kerr b Penfold 34 (Australia 43-1)
Big breakthrough for New Zealand as Alyssa Healy half-heartedly pulls straight to Melie Kerr at midwicket. The skipper set the tone for Australia by attacking from the start so can hardly be blamed for continue to play her shots but that delivery came at her slower than expected. It ended with Healy screaming in frustration and a simple catch for the White Ferns all-rounder.
The opening partnership is broken! Molly Penfold with the wicket of Australian captain Alyssa Healy. Follow LIVE and free in NZ on @TVNZ + & DUKE 📺 and @SportNationNZ 📻 Live scoring | https://t.co/NhaKkwIivk #NZvAUS #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/FPfNtz8R2L
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) December 20, 2024
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8th over: Australia 43-0 (Healy 34, Litchfield 6) Another tidy over from Devine as the White Ferns are at least slowing the scoring from one end.
7th over: Australia 40-0 (Healy 33, Litchfield 4) Australian hearts are in mouths for a brief moment as the skipper swipes at a wide ball that rises skyward. But it flies safely through the fielders in the cover region to the boundary. Healy swings hard on an even wider delivery and the ball rockets off the toe of the bat and over slips for another four.
6th over: Australia 31-0 (Healy 24, Litchfield 4) Sophie Devine takes matters into her own hands with Australia threatening. A tidier over from the New Zealand skipper restricts the tourists to a couple of singles.
5th over: Australia 29-0 (Healy 23, Litchfield 3) Alyssa Healy is quickly looking back to her best. Another clip off the pads is in the air momentarily but so well-placed that there was little danger on the way to the boundary. The skipper then plays the shot of the day so far with a square drive for four. Ominous sides for the White Ferns as Healy is already up and running.
4th over: Australia 21-0 (Healy 15, Litchfield 3) Litchfield steps back to open up her options but Penfold sees her move and aims outside the left-hander’s off-stump. The opener has to reach to get bat on ball and can’t control her shot as it pops up towards backward point but falls safely. Healy flicks off her pads again for a single and so far has been untroubled in her return to the side.
3rd over: Australia 19-0 (Healy 14, Litchfield 2) Mair to Healy on a much tighter line and length. A leg-cutter cramps up the Australia skipper and strikes her on the hip. Healy responds with a pair of classy clips off the pads to the rope, the first through midwicket and the next much finer as Mair drifts too far down leg.
2nd over: Australia 11-0 (Healy 6, Litchfield 2) A half-hearted appeal as Molly Penfold moves the ball away from Litchfield and there is a sound as the ball passes the bat. But that was pretty clearly bat on ground. Penfold loses her radar with a couple of wides then a Suzie Bates mis-field at cover hands Healy a run off the last delivery. A bit sloppy from the White Ferns.
1st over: Australia 7-0 (Healy 5, Litchfield 0) A loosener from Rosemary Mair swings away from Alyssa Healy to start with a wide that releases the pressure. The Australia skipper whips another delivery off her pads to the boundary to brush away any suggestions she might be a bit rusty. Mair bounces back with a straight one that cuts through Phoebe Litchfield on the way through to the keeper.
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The national anthems are sung and done and the White Ferns are completing their warm up as the cloud returns. It will be interesting to see how the pitch has responded to bewing covered under heavy rain in recent days.
Alyssa Healy takes her two-centres with Rosemary Mair at the top of her mark. Game on!
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This first three two-match series between New Zealand and Australia since 2021 is part of the ICC ODI Championship. As they tend to do in this format, and across most of women’s cricket, Australia have risen to the top and already used the multi-year tournament to secure an automatic spot at the next Women’s World Cup to be held in India in October
New Zealand need to win at least one of these two ODIs to move above Sri Lanka into the critical fifth spot to join their Trans-Tasman rivals, England, South Africa and hosts India in the showpiece event without having to do it the hard way.
Australia XI
Australia: Alyssa Healy (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney (wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.
Alyssa Healy is back in the XI but as a batter – and captain – only with Beth Mooney to take the gloves. Georgia Voll is the unlucky batter to make way after scoring 173 runs in three ODIs against India. But the young opener showed in her first series that there will be plenty more opportunities to come.
Skipper Alyssa Healy back in the XI 👊 pic.twitter.com/4n5X5XLlFK
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) December 20, 2024
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New Zealand XI
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze (wk), Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Eden Carson.
New Zealand win the toss and elect to field
Alyssa Healy is back in the Australia side as captain but calls heads when tails come up.
Sophie Devine says the White Ferns will bowl first with a bit of cloud around and expected to assist the pacers at Basin Reserve.
Bella James will make her international debut for New Zealand after being called up in place of Georgia Plimmer who is suffering from a bone stress reaction in her hip and will be sidelined until next year. James has been presented with her cap by Suzie Bates and will likely open in Plimmer’s absence. The 25-year-old is a powerful hitter who will attack Australia pace bowlers.
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Australia captain Alyssa Healy is in line for a return to the side – as a batter only, rather than also taking the gloves – after missing the three ODI series on home turf against India due to injury. Young opener Georgia Voll fitted in seamlessly in Healy’s absence, amassing 173 runs in three knocks, and explained what it meant to be handed a debut cap and then grasp her opportunity.
I do enjoy opening. That’s the goal that I’d love to keep going, but obviously Alyssa Healy is a world-class player, so she slots right back in. But this whole team is world class, so it’s hard to crack any spot.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the second one-day international between New Zealand and Australia. This has all the hallmarks of being the series opener after the first ODI was washed out with the teams not even making their way to Basin Reserve let alone a ball being bowled on Thursday.
With only two games to play in the series, Australia need just one victory to extend their firm stranglehold on the Rose Bowl. New Zealand last claimed the piece of silverware in 1999 before handing it back just a year later. But the White Ferns have shown recently that they know how to win trophies, after their historic Women’s T20 World Cup triumph this year.
Playing Australia in the 50-over format is almost like a different sport as the all-conquering side hold the Women’s Cricket World Cup title that they won in New Zealand, and have won 31 of their 34 ODIs in the past three years.
The conditions in Wellington are much more favourable to actually playing cricket today, with a bit of sun peeking through the clouds. It’s about 18C at the moment with a predicted high of 22C.
First ball will be at 11am local time or 9am AEDT. The toss and team news will be coming up shortly.
Meanwhile, let us know your thoughts and predictions - shoot me an email or find me @martinpegan on Bluesky or X. Let’s get into it!
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