AusW vs NZW 2020: Australia wins T20I series by 2-1

Australia Women defeated New Zealand Women in the three-match series by a margin of 2-1 to win the T20I series. Australia won the first two T20Is while New Zealand won the final one to bag a consolation win in the series. This series victory will boost their confidence going into the three-match ODI series which starts from October 03.

Australia Women celebrating the victory in second T20I. Image Credits: Cricket Australia

Let us relive how the three-match T20I series has gone by.

T20I #1 (Sep 26, 2020): Australia Women defeated New Zealand Women by a margin of 17 runs

Courtesy a brilliant half-century from Ashleigh Gardener (61 runs off 41 deliveries with 6 fours and 3 sixes), Australia Women got to a competitive total of 138/6 in 20 overs on the board. In reply, New Zealand scored just 121/7 in 20 overs losing the game by 17 runs. Aussie pacer Meghan Schutt was the pick of the bowlers with bowling figures of 4/23 in her 4 overs. Gardener bagged the 'Player of the Match' award for her crucial knock with the bat.

T20I #2 (Sep 27, 2020): Australia Women defeated New Zealand Women by a margin of 8 wickets

Having opted to bat first, New Zealand were bowled out for 128 runs in 19.2 overs. Aussie bowlers Delissa Kimmince and Georgia Wareham picked up three wickets each while Sophie Molineux bagged two wickets. In reply, Australia chased down the target with 8 wickets in hand and 3.2 overs to spare. Sophie Molineux has been adjudged as the 'Player of the Match' for her economical bowling figures - 2/17 in 4 overs.

T20I #3 (Sep 30, 2020): New Zealand Women defeated Australia Women by a margin of 5 wickets

Under-pressure New Zealand finally delivered in the series defeating Australia in the third T20I by a comfortable margin of 5 wickets. The White Ferns restricted Aussies to a par total of 123/7 in 20 overs. In reply, New Zealand chased down the target with 5 wickets in hand and 3 balls to spare in their innings. Amelia Kerr (18* off 10 with the bat and 2/18 with the ball) has been adjudged as the 'Player of the Match'.

Player of the Series:

Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardener has been adjudged as the 'Player of the Series' for being the leading run-scorer in this three-match T20I series. She scored 90 runs in the 2 innings she batted at an average of 45.00 and a strike rate of over 145. Also, she is the only player to hit a half-century in this three-match T20I series!

What's next?

The three-match T20I series is now concluded with the home team taking the honors! The next assignment in the tour is a three-match ODI series which is scheduled to start from Saturday. All the three games which will be played on Oct 03, 05 and 07 will be hosted at Allan Border Field in Brisbane.