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Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr’s strong performances were overshadowed as Australia maintained their winning momentum, with Ashleigh Gardner continuing her impressive batting form by smashing a rapid half-century. Annabel Sutherland also delivered another superb all-round display, helping Australia seal a dominant 2-0 series victory after overwhelming New Zealand in the third ODI at Basin Reserve. […]
Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr’s strong performances were overshadowed as Australia maintained their winning momentum, with Ashleigh Gardner continuing her impressive batting form by smashing a rapid half-century. Annabel Sutherland also delivered another superb all-round display, helping Australia seal a dominant 2-0 series victory after overwhelming New Zealand in the third ODI at Basin Reserve.
In their final match before next month’s Ashes, Australia elected to bat and made a strong start, with captain Alyssa Healy and Phoebe Litchfield putting on an 88-run opening partnership. However, they endured a familiar wobble, losing four quick wickets and slumping to 127 for 4, as New Zealand’s Rosemary Mair and legspinner Amelia Kerr orchestrated a fightback. Despite the setbacks, Ashleigh Gardner took control in the latter stages, smashing 74 runs off 62 balls to lift Australia to a commanding total of 290.
New Zealand’s chase got off to a strong start as they sought the second-highest successful run chase in ODI history. After being pinned down in the previous match, New Zealand’s batters came out more aggressive, aiming to unsettle Australia’s disciplined attack. Bella James, in her debut international series, set the tone with her bold approach, moving across the crease and forming a 43-run opening stand with Suzie Bates. However, her risky movement ultimately proved her undoing, as she misjudged a delivery from Annabel Sutherland and was bowled for a leg stump dismissal.
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Alongside an aggressive Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates helped New Zealand regain some momentum, reaching her half-century with consecutive boundaries off Annabel Sutherland. However, her effort came to an end when she picked out Ellyse Perry, who made a spectacular catch at deep square-leg. New Zealand’s chase then took a blow when Kerr was run out, following a misjudged quick single taken by skipper Sophie Devine. Devine’s error in judgment was compounded when she was clean bowled for 27 by an inswinger from fast bowler Darcie Brown, leaving New Zealand in deep trouble.
New Zealand’s hopes of chasing down the target continued to fade as the wickets tumbled. Legspinner Alana King proved crucial in their collapse, taking 3 for 34 as the Kiwi batting order unravelled. With the required runs slipping out of reach, New Zealand slumped to a 15th consecutive ODI defeat to Australia, further cementing Australia’s dominance in the format. Sutherland also played a key role, taking three wickets and contributing to the team’s overall success after her match-winning century in Australia’s 65-run victory in the second ODI.
This victory not only ensured Australia’s continued reign over the Rose Bowl Trophy, which they have held since 2000, but also marked the conclusion of the whirlwind three-match series played over just five days. The opening match had been washed out, but Australia maintained their winning form after a T20 World Cup semi-final exit, having also recently whitewashed India 3-0 in an ODI series at home. For New Zealand, the series was a disappointment, as they struggled to maintain their form after winning the T20 World Cup. Their back-to-back ODI series losses to India and Australia highlighted the challenges they now face in the 50-over format.
New Zealand’s hopes of directly qualifying for the 2025 World Cup took a hit as they remain in an uneasy sixth spot on the Women’s Championship table. After rain disrupted earlier matches, the clear weather in Wellington came as a relief, and Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy wasted no time in choosing to bat first. Coming off a strong 34 in her return from a knee injury, Healy continued her impressive comeback, aggressively dominating the wayward bowling of Molly Penfold. Penfold, who had taken a career-best four wickets in the second ODI, struggled with her length, repeatedly bowling short and being punished by Healy’s powerful pull shots.
Healy’s aggressive play saw her race ahead of opening partner Phoebe Litchfield, who initially struggled but found her rhythm later in the powerplay, driving the ball consistently over the infield on the off side. Together, they put on 84 runs before the drinks break. However, the momentum shifted when Sophie Devine turned to Amelia Kerr, who struck with her second ball after the resumption. Kerr’s googly deceived Healy, who missed her sweep shot and was bowled. Kerr, using the sharp turn off the surface, continued her dominance, clean bowling Ellyse Perry with another well-executed googly, showcasing her skill and making a significant impact in the middle overs.
Australia endured another collapse for the third consecutive match, with Rosemary Mair dismissing both Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield, who had just reached her half-century. This familiar scenario saw Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland once again tasked with rescuing Australia, much like they had done in the second ODI and their previous series against India at the WACA. Sutherland, fresh off consecutive centuries, nearly holed out to Mair early in her innings but quickly regained her rhythm. Her excellent timing and placement were on full display as she and Gardner put together a 63-run partnership, continuing their strong fifth-wicket partnerships from the previous two matches, which had added 96 and 50 runs respectively.
Sutherland appeared to be cruising towards another half-century, but at 42, she chipped a simple return catch to Sophie Devine off a delivery that seemed to hold up off the surface. Gardner then took charge, hitting a couple of boundaries off Mair in the 43rd over to bring up her second half-century in three matches, her first since mid-2023. Her form continued as she smashed four boundaries off Penfold in the 44th over, putting Australia on track for a total beyond 300. However, her bid for a maiden international century was cut short when she was deceived by Amelia Kerr, who bowled her out, claiming her third wicket of the match. Australia collapsed in the final stages, bowled out in the penultimate over, marking their first ODI dismissal when batting first since February 2019. Despite the late fall, their total proved more than enough for victory.
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