The New Zealand women’s cricket team had a shaky start to the mammoth run chase of 327 runs. Sophie Molineux, who was making her ODI WC debut, clean bowled Suzie Bates with a ripper of a delivery. Sophie Molineux was getting a sharp turn from the surface, and along with her, Ashleigh Gardner & Alana King stopped the flow of runs & boundaries.
Sophie Molineux deceived New Zealand batters
New Zealand needed a sturdy start to their run chase of 327 runs. There were expectations from Suzie Bates, especially to take the team off to a rollicking start, as chasing a 300+ target requires a mammoth knock from the top-order batter. New Zealand had a complete opposite power play as in the very first 2 overs, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer were dismissed for 0 runs.
The repairing work was then started by Amelia Kerr & Sophie Devine. Skipper Sophie Devine, in particular, was quite watchful with her shot selection as her wicket undoubtedly was the key. White Ferns managed to score 36 runs in the first 10 overs for the loss of 2 wickets as Australia started their defense with a bang.
Sophie Devine & Amelia Kerr start rebuilding the innings
It was more than a herculean task for both Sophie & Amelia as the required run rate went past 7 runs per over. Sophie Devine was playing her audacious shots and picked up the run rate in the 11-20 overs. Just when the partnership was getting much-needed momentum, Amelia Kerr was trapped by Alana King in the 20th over. Amelia’s knock of 33 runs in 56 balls got the team out of trouble a bit, but still, it was a long rally ahead for New Zealand.
Brooke Halliday was quite ultra-positive from the word go against the Aussie bowling attack. New Zealand’s score at the end of the halfway mark was 100-3 as the partnership between Sophie Devine & Amelia Kerr just opened the gates, but Sophie Devine has to smash a daddy ton or can say a captain’s knock to take New Zealand close to the target.
Who’s winning, Australia or New Zealand?
Australia look all set to kick start their title defense with a win against New Zealand. New Zealand can’t afford to take the game deep as already they need 227 runs to win from 25 overs, which is too next-to-impossible a task in women’s cricket. New Zealand needs to target a couple of boundaries in every over. Australia would be eyeing a big win, as later in the tournament, NRR might come into the equation