Ashleigh Gardner's 84 Fires Australia Women to Victory
Australia Women
167/7 (20)
New Zealand Women
127/8 (20)
AUS-W won by 40 runs
View full scorecard →Australia Women have won by 40 runs. Australia Women batted first and posted 167/7 in 20 overs. New Zealand Women, chasing 168, fell short at 127/8 in 20 overs.
Ashleigh Gardner was the standout in the first innings, scoring 84 off 45 balls (SR 187). 4 sixes and 10 fours provided the impetus.
Amelia Kerr fought hard with 32 off 38 balls, but it was not enough to haul New Zealand Women over the line. The required rate climbed too steeply in the end.
With the ball, Georgia Wareham delivered figures of 3/18 in 4 overs (Econ 4.5). Crucial breakthroughs at key moments that shifted the momentum.
AUS-W lead the series 2-1. The pressure is firmly on the chasing side now.
The Turning Point
The result was shaped by a series of small moments rather than one dramatic turning point. The winning side was simply more clinical in their execution across both innings.
Key Performers
84 off 45 balls (SR 187), 10 fours, 4 sixes
3/18 in 4 overs (Econ: 4.50)
39 off 28 balls (SR 139), 6 fours, 0 sixes
Verdict
Australia Women showed composure when it mattered most and deserve this victory. New Zealand Women will rue missed opportunities — a 40 runs deficit could have been avoided with sharper execution in the key moments. AUS-W lead the series 2-1. The pressure is firmly on the chasing side now.