NZ vs AUS: Beth Mooney’s Masterclass Powers Australia To Emphatic Win In Series Opener

Australia secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first T20I at Eden Park, Auckland, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. 

Beth Mooney, playing her 200th international game, delivered a stellar knock of 75* off 42 balls, ensuring a comfortable chase as Australia reached the 138-run target in just 13.3 overs.

New Zealand, having won the toss, opted to bat first on a wicket that promised early movement for the pacers but was expected to settle under the evening lights. The decision was rooted in the belief that setting a total and applying scoreboard pressure would be their best approach against the world champions. 

However, while they managed to put up a respectable 137/2 in their 20 overs, the innings was defined more by caution than outright aggression, ultimately leaving them short of a truly imposing total.

A Solid Yet Measured Start

Openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer began steadily, wary of Australia’s potent new-ball attack. Bates, the vastly experienced campaigner, looked to anchor the innings, while Plimmer, still establishing herself in the international circuit, took her time to settle in. The duo negotiated the early overs against Megan Schutt and Darcie Brown, with both seamers getting movement in the air and off the surface.

Plimmer struck the first boundary of the innings, threading a crisp drive through the covers, and followed it up with a delicate flick past mid-wicket. Bates, meanwhile, was slightly more watchful, relying on her placement rather than brute force. However, Australia’s discipline with the ball meant boundaries were not easy to come by, forcing the batters into calculated risks.

The breakthrough came in the fourth over when Darcie Brown, dismiss Bates who only managed an edge, which was gleefully accepted by wicketkeeper Beth Mooney. The New Zealand skipper departed for 14 off 14 balls, leaving her team at 32/1.

Plimmer and Kerr Look to Build

With Bates back in the pavilion, Georgia Plimmer took on the role of stabilizer alongside Amelia Kerr. Plimmer continued to find gaps, rotating the strike effectively and punishing the occasional loose delivery. However, just when she was beginning to look settled, Tahlia McGrath forced an error.

Bowling her first over, McGrath dismissed Plimmer, sending a simple catch to Annabel Sutherland at mid-wicket. She walked back for 27 off 24 balls, having struck four boundaries but unable to convert her start into a substantial score. At 47/2 in the eighth over, New Zealand found themselves in a tricky position, needing to up the tempo but also wary of losing wickets too quickly.

Kerr and Devine’s Unbeaten Stand

With two quick wickets falling, New Zealand needed a stabilizing act, and they found it in the form of Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine. 

Kerr, a naturally gifted stroke-maker, took the responsibility of anchoring the innings, while Devine, known for her ability to clear the ropes, played a measured knock, ensuring New Zealand had wickets in hand for the final flourish.

Kerr was the backbone of the innings, playing with immense composure. She maneuvered the field beautifully, using the crease to disrupt the lengths of the Australian bowlers.

Her signature late cuts and deft placements behind square were in full display. Kerr’s ability to rotate the strike and find the odd boundary ensured that the scoreboard kept ticking even in the absence of frequent big hits.

On the other end, Devine bided her time, recognizing the importance of building a platform before launching into an aggressive assault. She showcased her timing with crisp drives and used her strong bottom hand to punch the ball through the gaps. However, Australia’s bowlers maintained disciplined lines, preventing any easy acceleration.

Despite their controlled approach, New Zealand struggled to truly dominate the middle overs. Australia’s spinners, Georgia Wareham and Ashleigh Gardner, bowled tight lines, ensuring that the big shots were hard to come by. The duo conceded just 30 runs in their combined five overs, effectively stalling New Zealand’s scoring rate.

The Final Push and the Lack of Late Fireworks

Heading into the final five overs, New Zealand needed a significant push to post a challenging total. At 98/2 after 15 overs, they had the foundation to accelerate, but Australia’s bowlers ensured that the momentum shift never truly arrived.

Kerr brought up her fifty in the 19th over, a well-compiled innings off 46 balls, laced with five boundaries. However, her strike rate of 110.86 underscored New Zealand’s struggle to break free against Australia’s disciplined attack. Devine, too, remained unbeaten on 39 off 36 balls, hitting five fours but unable to find the big shots that could push the total closer to 150.

The final two overs yielded just 26 runs, with Darcie Brown and Annabel Sutherland maintaining a tight leash on the scoring. While the Kerr-Devine partnership remained unbeaten, their 90-run stand lacked the explosive finish that could have significantly altered the course of the game.

Australia’s Disciplined Approach

Australia’s bowlers executed their plans with precision, never allowing New Zealand’s batters to dominate. Darcie Brown was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 4-0-22-1. Her pace and accuracy troubled the batters, and her ability to extract bounce ensured that New Zealand never got comfortable against her.

Tahlia McGrath provided crucial support, picking up a wicket while conceding 23 runs in her three-over spell. Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Wareham were highly economical, maintaining tight lengths and keeping the scoring rate in check. Megan Schutt, though expensive (4-0-36-0), provided the necessary experience with the new ball and at the death.
Chasing a modest target of 138, Australia’s openers, Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll, came out with an aggressive mindset, determined to take control of the game right from the outset. Their approach was fearless, exploiting the powerplay restrictions to full effect and dismantling the New Zealand bowling attack within the first six overs.

Mooney and Voll Run Riot

Right from the first ball, Australia signaled their intent. Mooney and Voll capitalized on anything remotely loose, finding the gaps with precision and clearing the infield with ease. The opening stand raced to 77 runs inside the powerplay, effectively putting the result beyond doubt within the first third of the innings.

Mooney, in particular, was ruthless, driving and pulling with authority. She peppered the boundary at will, unfazed by the New Zealand bowlers’ attempts to stem the flow of runs. Voll, playing in just her second T20I, showed composure beyond her years, matching Mooney stroke for stroke and proving why she’s considered one of Australia’s brightest young talents.

By the time the six-over powerplay ended, Mooney had surged into the 40s, while Voll was also progressing rapidly, keeping the required run rate well within reach. The duo’s assault left New Zealand’s bowlers rattled, struggling to find any semblance of control.

Mooney and Voll’s Century Stand

The Australian openers extended their domination beyond the powerplay, rotating the strike efficiently while also dispatching the loose deliveries to the fence. Their running between the wickets was sharp, adding to New Zealand’s woes as the fielders struggled to cut off boundaries or prevent quick singles.

Mooney brought up her half-century in just 28 balls, continuing her rich vein of form in T20 cricket. She mixed aggression with elegance, finding the boundary regularly while maintaining a superb strike rate. Voll, too, reached her maiden T20I fifty in just 30 balls, underlining her growing stature in Australian cricket.

Their partnership, worth 123 runs, came at a breathtaking pace, as New Zealand’s bowlers found no answers to their dominance. Every bowler introduced into the attack was met with disdain, as the hosts struggled to build any pressure.

Tahuhu Strikes, But Too Late

New Zealand finally found a breakthrough when Lea Tahuhu dismissed Voll for 50. Attempting an uppish drive, Voll couldn’t get the elevation required and ended up slicing the ball to Eden Carson at cover. It was a consolation wicket at best, as Australia had already cruised to the brink of victory.

Tahuhu struck again in her next over, removing Phoebe Litchfield for just 2 runs. Litchfield, attempting a cheeky lap shot, only managed to glove the ball to wicketkeeper Polly Inglis. However, with the required runs down to single digits, the result was all but sealed.

Mooney Finishes the Job in Style

Ellyse Perry joined Mooney at the crease, and together they saw Australia over the line with 39 balls to spare. Perry played a supporting role, scoring just 3 runs off 6 deliveries, as Mooney fittingly hit the winning runs, remaining unbeaten on a magnificent 75 off just 42 balls.

Mooney’s innings, laced with 10 fours and a six, was a masterclass in controlled aggression. She showcased her full range of strokes, from delicate late cuts to powerful lofted drives, ensuring that Australia completed the chase with minimal fuss.

New Zealand’s Bowling Struggles

The Kiwi bowlers endured a forgettable outing, with none apart from Tahuhu making any impact. The pace trio of Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, and Tahuhu struggled with their lengths, often erring too full or too short, allowing the Australian batters to pounce.

Lea Tahuhu (3-0-31-2) was the only bright spot, picking up both wickets, but she too was expensive, conceding over 10 runs per over. Jess Kerr (3-0-28-0) was unable to generate much movement and was taken apart in the powerplay.

Rosemary Mair (1.3-0-18-0) leaked runs at 12 runs per over, failing to apply any pressure. Eden Carson (2-0-22-0) struggled to find rhythm and was taken apart by Mooney in particular. Amelia Kerr (3-0-24-0) bowled better but couldn’t break the opening stand. Sophie Devine (1-0-11-0) was introduced late, but by then, the game had already been taken away.

Australia’s Commanding Win and Series Lead

This emphatic victory gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the series, with their dominance leaving New Zealand searching for answers. Mooney’s unbeaten 75 earned her the Player of the Match award, as she showcased why she remains one of the best in the format.

For New Zealand, the lack of penetration with the ball and an inability to contain Australia’s aggressive batting approach will be areas to address before the second T20I. Their bowlers, in particular, will need to rethink their strategies if they are to pose any challenge to this powerful Australian unit.

With the visitors asserting their supremacy in all departments, New Zealand must regroup quickly to keep the series alive.

Brief Scores: New Zealand vs Australia – 1st T20 International

New Zealand: 137/2 in 20 overs (Amelia Kerr 51*, Sophie Devine 39*; Darcie Brown 1/22, Tahlia McGrath 1/23) lost to Australia: 138/2 in 13.3 overs (Beth Mooney 75*, Georgia Voll 50; Lea Tahuhu 2/31) by 8 wickets.

Click Here to get the latest news related to Women’s Cricket. You can also check about Match predictions here. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.