ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, AUS vs NZ: In a comprehensive victory, Australia ensured their second successive win in the Women’s T20 World Cup as they defeated New Zealand by 60 runs. The win places Australia in a comfortable position as the team to beat in Group A while making it an uphill task for New Zealand to qualify from the group.
A clinical performance from the Aussies as they go to top of Group A 👏#T20WorldCup | #AUSvNZ 📝: https://t.co/E7n3yo4O0B pic.twitter.com/ItscC9JJAF
— ICC (@ICC) October 8, 2024
Match Highlights
Alyssa Healy, Captain, Australia Women
Reflecting on the match, Healy admitted she was happy with her team’s performance but said something went amiss, particularly in the first innings. “We could have been a bit smarter at the end,” she said. The Australian bowlers were impressive and Megan Schutt led the way, setting the tone early in the game. Healy emphasized her need to adapt to the pitch conditions when she said, “150 on that wicket was good enough.”
Sophie Devine, Captain, New Zealand Women
Devine accepted that they needed a better opening and the run rate spiralled out of hand. “We need to be more adventurous with the bat,” she said pointing out the areas where the side struggled on the field and in bowling decisions. She pointed out that, whereas their next game against Sri Lanka would be their most important challenge, “we need to win our next game.”
Player Of The Match
Megan Schutt’s Performance: Megan Schutt was declared the Player of the Match for exceptional bowling. She took 3 wickets for just 3 runs and made it the most economical spell of 3 wickets in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
Most wickets in Women's #T20WorldCup history 👏
— ICC (@ICC) October 8, 2024
Figures of 3/3 😮
Megan Schutt was sensational in the game against New Zealand and won the @aramco POTM award 🏅 #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/G9PUr2PwOU
New Zealand’s Chase Went Down
Batting did not go according to plan as the scoring rate declined dramatically from what was seen in the beginning. The team batting especially cast doubts in the minds of everyone as only 34 runs could be scored by the side for 9 wickets during the last phase of the innings.
Australia’s Consecutive Win!
It is their 13th consecutive win in Women’s T20 World Cups, a feat no other team has ever done.
Match Analysis
Australia needed 149, which New Zealand couldn’t threaten after a great start saw them under immense pressure. Amelia Kerr was the only batter who got anywhere near that level of impact, while others played out of sync. Australia’s bowling unit, particularly Schutt, Molineux, and Sutherland did well in targeting the stumps through which several of them bowled out.
After having a great start against India in their first match, New Zealand had a very rude shock at the hands of the champions. With only two games left in the group stages of the tournament, they have to win their remaining two games to stay in contention.
Looking Ahead
And the main theme here goes to Australia, who keeps proving the case to be unstoppable in the tournament and who have the fans wondering and asking who really can challenge the powerhouse team. New Zealand will look forward to rushing back onto the field fast as they are bound for a tour against Sri Lanka.
Tune in for the double-header match-up and catch up with us as we track the exciting action of the Women’s T20 World Cup!
