Beth Mooney (75*) and Georgia Voll (50) hit scintillating half-centuries to down current T20 World Champions New Zealand with a thumping eight-wicket win that was set up by a commendable bowling effort in Auckland on Friday. Mooney and Voll ticked off 77 runs in the first six overs alone in the manageable chase of 138 – the most productive PowerPlay for Australia in the format – as their relentless assault on the home team saw Australia mow down the target with 39 balls to spare. The 123-run opening stand came in just 11 overs, another record for Australia, that all but sealed the deal before Lea Tahuhu picked up a few belated wickets to delay the inevitable.
Eden Carson takes the catch and Lea Tahuhu has the breakthrough! Follow play LIVE and free in NZ on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ #NZvAUS #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/utOvpFkPzi
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) March 21, 2025
Earlier, New Zealand were strangled by the Australian bowling attack after opting to bat in the series opener. They could muster only 40/1 from their PowerPlay, and lost both the openers on either side of it to be reduced to 47/2 shortly thereafter. Amelia Kerr (51 not out in 46 balls) and Sophie Devine (39* off 36 balls) – on international return after a well-being hiatus – did add 90 for the third wicket but the White Ferns could only muster 137 in the end.
Brief scores: New Zealand 137/2 in 20 overs (Amelia Kerr 51*, Sophie Devine 39*; Darcie Brown 1-22) were defeated by Australia 138/2 in 13.3 overs (Beth Mooney 75*, Georgia Voll 50; Lea Tahuhu 2-31) by 8 wickets
