The virtual quarter-final fixture in Group A between defending champions Australia and contenders New Zealand was played at Junction Oval in Melbourne on Monday (March 2).
The White Ferns backed themselves to chase down the total after winning the toss, despite falling short by a whisker against India in their second game of the tournament.
Opener Beth Mooney’s 50-ball 60 steered the hosts towards an above par score of 155 in 20 overs. Captain Meg Lanning and Ashleigh Gardner gave ample support to the left-hander to lay a foundation for the likes of Elysee Perry and Rachel Haynes, who provided the finishing impetus.
Beth Mooney. What a player.#CmonAussie #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/kK4tj5hGQT
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 2, 2020
However, their issues against slow-bowling were exposed yet again with Amelia Kerr (1/22) and Anna Peterson (2/31) putting brakes on Australia’s charge.
After losing the wicket of their hard-hitting opener, Rachel Priest, who gave quick start to the chase, it was up to their two most experienced campaigners.
The stage was perfectly set for Suzie Bates and Devine to take New Zealand home with the score at 53/1, by the end of eight over.
Moreover, it all changed when Georgia Wareham was handed the ball. The leggie turned the match around for Australia as she picked up three quick wickets during her spell, giving away only 17 to cause havoc in the Kiwi dugout.
Georgia Wareham finishes her four overs 3-17.
WHAT A SPELL! 🐺🐺🐺 pic.twitter.com/BFhZWAZahW
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 2, 2020
None of New Zealand’s threatened to chase down the Australian total since, barring Katey Martin, who took the game deep with her knock 31, which came off just 17 deliveries.
Martins was left with too much to do, in the end, as Australia edged past New Zealand by four runs to book yet another semi-finals berth in the competition.
New Zealand suffered another loss despite getting heart-wrenchingly close to the total. Georgia Wareham was adjudged as the Player of the Match.
The four #T20WorldCup semi-finalists! Who are you backing to take home the trophy?
1) #TeamIndia
2) #AlwaysRising
3) #WeAreEngland
4) #CmonAussie pic.twitter.com/6yvIPZSKYC— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 2, 2020
