Australia withstand batting collapse to beat New Zealand in T20 opener
Kim Garth struck the winning boundary at North Sydney Oval as Australia claimed a two-wicket victory and moved 1-0 ahead in the Rose Bowl series.
Australia lost seven wickets for 62 runs during their chase against New Zealand but reached 8-165 with seven deliveries remaining at North Sydney Oval. The visitors had posted 2-162 in the opening Twenty20 international.
Ellyse Perry led Australia's scoring with 52 from 30 balls, reaching her half-century in 27 deliveries to equal her fastest in T20 cricket. Beth Mooney contributed 38 from 25 balls before a run-out disrupted a chase that had reached 1-86 after 8.2 overs.
Jess Kerr took four wickets as Australia struggled to finish the pursuit. Kim Garth, batting at No.10, went scoreless through her first eight deliveries before finding the boundary that sealed Australia's 11th consecutive T20 victory.
Perry said limited recent batting time, different conditions and the change of format had contributed to Australia's rustiness. She said many batters had seen little action during three one-day internationals against Bangladesh, while Australia had not played T20 cricket since July.
Earlier, Georgia Plimmer scored a career-best 85 from 68 balls and Maddy Green made 56 from 37. Their unbroken partnership produced 127 from 80 deliveries, with Plimmer named player of the match. The remaining two games in the three-match Rose Bowl series will also be played at North Sydney Oval.
