Australia survive mid-order collapse to win T20I by two wickets

Australia beat New Zealand by two wickets in the opening women's T20I at North Sydney Oval on Sunday. New Zealand posted 162 for two, but Australia slumped from 86 for one to 148 for eight before Kim Garth struck the winning boundary with seven balls remaining.

Georgia Plimmer scored a career-best 85 from 68 balls and Maddy Green made an unbeaten 56 as the pair added 127 for the second wicket. Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry fell in a mix-up, and Jess Kerr took three wickets as Australia lost seven for 62.

The result gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second match is scheduled for Tuesday at the same venue.