ICC T20 World Cup 2023: Ashleigh Gardner Picks A Fifer; Helps Australia Beat New Zealand

While Australia and New Zealand faced each other at the Boland Park for the third game of the ICC T20 World Cup 2023, the spectators witnessed a fantabulous performance from the Australian squad.

The two mega stars of the cricketing world were expected to face off, showcasing some remarkable skills. Winning the toss, New Zealand claimed to bowl first. They were expected to chase the required runs but the robust Australian side not only defended their score but also destroyed the opponents, restricting them to a low score.

As Australia started to bat, they lost an early wicket in the form of Beth Mooney. Mooney’s major wicket was claimed by Lea Tahuhu, as she was caught on her very second delivery.

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Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning both balanced the team’s first inning, as they scored the required runs. Healy’s half century was accompanied by Lanning’s 41 runs that helped the team secure the required runs. The two helped their team balance off the first 10 overs, while Ellyse Perry added on to the team’s runs.

Perry secured 44 runs in merely 22 deliveries that helped the team reach a total of 173 runs. Although Australia lost 9 wickets, they played an outstanding inning, as they were able to put together a defendable score.

Commendable bowling performance from Lea Tahuhu and the young Amelia Kerr. The two bowlers fetched 3 wickets each, trying their level best to restrict the opponents.

With 174 runs to chase for New Zealanders, the team was off to a low start. The openers Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, lost early wickets in the very first over bowled by Megan Schutt. Fantastic start to the second inning for Australia as Schutt successfully picked the team’s great.

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Following this, Bernadine Bezuidenhout batted for the New Zealanders alongside Amelia Kerr. No major success for the two as they failed to bring the team back into the game. Strong bowling performance from Ashleigh Gardener. She seemed unstoppable, as she cleared the middle order New Zealand batters.

Gardener picked five wickets, namely that of Amelia Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Eden Carson and Lea Tahuhu. Her fantastic bowling performance kept the opponents from reaching their required target.

The opponents were compelled to wrap the game at merely 76 runs in 14 overs. New Zealand lost the game by a huge margin of 97 runs. A sad game for the New Zealanders but a pure victory for the Australians.

ICC T20 World Cup 2023: Australia vs New Zealand, Match 3 Brief Score

Australia 173/9 (Alyssa Healy 55 (38), Meg Lanning 41 (33), Amelia Kerr 3/23, Lea Tahuhu 3/37) won against New Zealand 76/10 (Amelia Kerr 21 (30), Ashleigh Gardener 5/12, Megan Schutt 2/8) by 97 runs.

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