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Australia Women sealed a commanding 2-0 series victory over New Zealand Women with a resounding 75-run win in the third and final ODI at Basin Reserve, Wellington. An all-round masterclass from Annabel Sutherland played a pivotal role in Australia’s success.
Australia’s solid start with the bat
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia posted a challenging total of 290 in 49 overs. Opener Phoebe Litchfield set the tone with a steady 50 off 59 balls, featuring five boundaries. In the middle order, Ashleigh Gardner accelerated the scoring with an explosive 74 off 62 deliveries, which included nine fours and a six. Despite the efforts of New Zealand’s bowlers, Australia’s deep batting lineup ensured a formidable target.
Amelia Kerr, the standout bowler for the blackcaps, claimed four crucial wickets in her 10-over spell, while Rosemary Mair supported with three dismissals. Captain Sophie Devine chipped in with two important scalps, but the hosts struggled to contain Australia’s relentless batting.
New Zealand stumbles in the chase
Chasing 290, New Zealand began with promise as experienced opener Suzie Bates anchored the innings with a fluent 53 off 59 balls, laced with eight fours. However, a lack of partnerships and frequent dismissals thwarted their chase. Maddy Green offered late resistance with an unbeaten 39 off 35 balls, but the mounting pressure proved insurmountable. The hosts were bowled out for 215 in 42.3 overs.
Australia’s bowlers delivered an all-round performance to dismantle New Zealand’s batting. Sutherland led the charge, claiming three wickets for 43 runs in her nine overs. Leg-spinner Alana King was equally effective, also taking three wickets in her nine-over spell. Darcie Brown and Kim Garth chipped in with a wicket apiece, ensuring a collective bowling effort. For her exceptional all-round display, Sutherland was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series. Her impactful contributions, including a brilliant 147 with the bat in the series and consistent wicket-taking, proved decisive in Australia’s dominance throughout the tour.
Also READ: Renuka Singh Thakur’s fifer and Smriti Mandhana’s 91 take India home in the ODI series opener against West Indies
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Midge 😂#NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/cpwbOC8cvr
— australian womens cricket with very little context (@awcwvlc) December 23, 2024
Australia seals the series with a resounding win in 3rd ODI
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/rZ4Shw9fsf#cricket #NZvAUS #ODI #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/PmiiHiiNKM
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 23, 2024
#Australia 🇦🇺 Women : 290 (49 ov)#NewZealand 🇳🇿 Women : 215 (43.3 ov)
Australia Women won by 75 runs & won the series 2-0
Player of the match : Annabel Sutherland (Australia Women)
Player of the series : Annabel Sutherland (Australia Women)
3rdODI #NZWvAUSW 🏏🏆️#NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/qbJyyqHFiD— Ishara (@Ishara23032) December 23, 2024
Really good innings from Maddy Green, never enough with no support, but still really good. Alana King has been the difference. #NZvAUS
— Simon Wood (@WoodOnWineNZ) December 23, 2024
Alana King is such a weapon. #NZvAUS
— Ross Martin (@RossMartin1960) December 23, 2024
Annabel Sutherland in 2024:
Hit Double Century in Test vs SA
Got POTT Award in The Hundred
5th overall Highest Wicket Taker in WT20
Player of Series award vs NZODIs: 369 Runs | 13 Wkts
Tests: 256 Runs | 5 Wkts
T20Is: 28 Runs | 19 Wkts pic.twitter.com/iiTUW1PWM8— J𝙖𝙣𝙖 🌟 (@ig_jana23) December 23, 2024
Annabel Sutherland in 2024:
💥Hit Double Century in Test vs SA
💥Got POTT Award in The Hundred
💥5th overall Highest Wicket Taker in WT20
💥Player of Series award vs NZODIs: 369 Runs | 13 Wkts
Tests: 256 Runs | 5 Wkts
T20Is: 28 Runs | 19 WktsBelinda Clark Medal Loading🔜 pic.twitter.com/q5VOMfAnfF
— Ahmad Hussain (@Ahmad_Pak_) December 23, 2024
27.6
Annabel Sutherland now has the best bowling strike rate for a pacer in ODIs. (min: 30 wickets) https://t.co/jCicwg89Jh
— Shajin MS (@SupertrampMS) December 23, 2024
Annabel Sutherland😍
— Karishma Dhakal (@Its_karishma) December 23, 2024
Annabel Sutherland currently has a higher ODI batting average than Belinda Clark and a lower ODI bowling average than Megan Schutt.#NZvAUS
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) December 22, 2024