Phoebe Litchfield has blasted her highest Twenty20 worldwide rating to steer Australia to a five-wicket victory towards New Zealand within the sequence opener in Mackay.
The proficient left-hander crafted an unbeaten 64 from 43 balls, saving Australia from hassle when she arrived on the crease with the hosts reeling at 3-44.
Litchfield, 21, batted flawlessly for the second T20I half-century of her profession to assist inflict New Zealand with a record-equalling eighth straight defeat within the sport’s shortest worldwide format.
Australia went previous the White Ferns’ 7-143 with eight balls to spare to go 1-0 up within the three-match sequence.
It was not an ideal night time for Australia, nonetheless, with the house aspect dropping star allrounder Ash Gardner to a weird damage within the warm-up.
The reigning Belinda Clark award winner was dominated out of Thursday night time’s match after colliding with teammate Georgia Wareham when throwing round a vortex.
Gardner copped a success to the jaw throughout the warm-up sport and was positioned in concussion protocols given she has a historical past of head knocks.
Fellow allrounder Heather Graham obtained the late call-up to exchange Gardner, with Australia coach Shelley Nitschke calling the incident “hectic”.
“We walked out and there is one thing occurring in warm-up and after which Ash was on the bottom, and sadly she was dominated out of the sport,” Nitschke instructed the Seven Community.
“She’s good. It is only a precaution.
“She’s in concussion protocols in the meanwhile and given we have a good bit of cricket forward of us we dominated her out of the sport.
“She’s had a take a look at and he or she handed, however you have to keep in these protocols for a sure period of time.”
Australia’s bowling assault restricted New Zealand to 7-143. (AAP: Jono Searle)
New Zealand additionally suffered a blow of its personal with captain Sophie Devine unavailable because of an ankle damage.
Suzie Bates was named skipper in Devine’s absence.
The White Ferns struggled to get going after electing to bat first, as quantity 5 Maddy Inexperienced top-scored with 35.
All six of Australia’s bowlers — Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Heather Graham, Megan Schutt and Tayla Vlaeminck — took a wicket every.
In the meantime, highly effective Australian batter Grace Harris has been dominated out of the sequence after straining her proper calf at coaching this week.
Australia expects her to be match and obtainable for subsequent month’s T20 World Cup within the UAE.
AAP
