Australia’s Southern Stars have defeated New Zealand in a thrilling opening to the five match T20 series at North Sydney Oval.
Set 146 to win, the Stars achieved the target with one ball to spare with Sarah Coyte driving Amy Sattherwaite for four through cover to bring up the winning runs.
As is so often the case in T20 cricket, one partnership can make all the difference and for the victorious Stars the 77-run stand between Jessica Cameron and Alex Blackwell was the difference between winning and losing.
Cameron bludgeoned 59 off 41 balls that included eight fours and one six and was complemented by Blackwell who nudged and worked her way to 35 off 33 balls with three fours.
Blackwell joined Cameron at the crease with Australia in a precarious position at 3/44, after losing opener Meg Lanning; 17 off 13 balls, who was lucky to survive an appeal for LBW only to run out as she left her crease. Lanning looked in a great touch and with her departure the Kiwi’s would have fancied their chances.
Earlier the Kiwi’s got off to a flyer as openers; Frances Mackay 31 off 31 balls and Suzie Bates 33 off 29 balls, scored at seven runs per over until Bates dismissal in the 9th over.
Australian opening bowler Ellyse Perry was on a hat-trick after dismissing Amy Sattherwaite and Sara McGlashen with the first two balls of the 12th over. The hat-trick ball was an anti-climax as Perry looking to bowl a yorker, strayed down leg side and was called for bowling a wide.
Katie Perkins with 31 off 23 balls was the pick of the Kiwi middle order and ensured a competitive final score of 7/145.
The series continues this afternoon at North Sydney Oval with play scheduled to start at 2.45pm with live coverage on the ABC from 2.30pm.
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