 agencies
LINCOLN (NEW ZEALAND), Mar 1: New Zealand, the hosts of Women's Cricket World Cup 2022, made a statement as they chased down 321 runs, defeating tournament favourites Australia by nine wickets with 41 balls remaining here on Tuesday. Skipper Sophie Devine (161 not out off 117 balls) along with experienced campaigner Suzie Bates frustrated the Australian attack, stitching a 119-run opening partnership. Leg-spinner Alana King got the much-needed breakthrough as she dismissed Bates for 63 in the 21st over. However, Australia could not even imagine what they were about to witness. Skipper Meg Lanning used as many as nine bowlers but neither could break the match-winning 206-run partnership between Devine and Amelia Kerr (92 not out off 75 balls). There were as many as 44 boundaries by the three batters combined and four maximums by Devine alone.
Earlier, Meg Lanning (87), Alyssa Healy (64), Beth Mooney (55) and Ashleigh Gardner (60) helped Australia to post what seemed like a mammoth total. For New Zealand, Hannah Rowe bagged four wickets while Devine took two wickets. |
