Skittled Kiwis lose 9-34 as Australia’s record-breaker Schutt wreaks havoc

Australia have one foot in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals after bulldozing New Zealand by 60 runs on a low and slow surface in Sharjah, as Megan Schutt entered the tournament record books.

The victory and its wide margin leaves Alyssa Healy’s side as the only unbeaten team in their group, and they can secure their passage by beating Pakistan on Friday night.

New Zealand will rue a marginal umpiring decision that may have swayed momentum after Australia batted first. Amelia Kerr thought she had caught Phoebe Litchfield on one, running in from midwicket to claim a miscued pull shot.

But the third umpire decided that Kerry had grounded the ball, leaving the Kiwis stunned and allowing Litchfield and Ellyse Perry to maintain the innings’ momentum as the Australians ultimately posted 8-148, despite wrist spinner Kerr’s haul of 4-26.

As she had done in the opening game, Beth Mooney (40) put together an innings of substance, assisted by cameos from skipper Healy (26), Perry (30) and Litchfield (18). Tahlia McGrath and Sophie Molineux pinched a priceless 17 from the final two overs.

That tally proved well beyond New Zealand, with Schutt scooping 3-3 from 3.2 extremely tight overs, supported by Annabel Sutherland (3-21) and the left-arm spinner Molineux (2-15) to roll Sophie Devine’s team for 88. From 1-54, New Zealand lost all nine wickets for just 34.

Megan Schutt celebrates with teammate Alyssa Healy after dismissing Georgia Plimmer.Credit: Getty Images

“Yeah, it’s not far off,” Mooney said when asked if this was Australia’s most complete performance in some time. “I think if we’re being really critical we probably missed out on a few with the bat towards the middle on the back end there with a few wickets in a row but certainly really pleasing the spot that we’ve got ourselves into in this tournament.

“Seeing the likes of Megan and Annabel Sutherland coming to the fore on wickets that are perhaps considered a bit more spin friendly that those guys are having a huge impact so yeah really pleasing where we’re at and certainly very happy with that result tonight.”

Schutt’s haul gave her the most wickets ever at Twenty20 World Cups with 44, while the win was Australia’s 13th victory in a row at the tournaments, dating back to an opening loss to India in Sydney at the 2020 edition.

As if to underline the low nature of the surface and the precision of Australia, no fewer than eight New Zealand wickets fell bowled or lbw. Only six boundaries were scored for the whole innings on a slow outfield that the Australians managed to clear far more often (14 fours and one six).

“Just being able to get out there first and foremost in that first game and get an understanding of the conditions was always good and to bank that sort of data,” Mooney said. “I think the natural dialogue is that it’s going to be pretty tough and you’ve got to really be composed at the crease and make good decisions and be really clear on what options you have and where to hit what bowlers.

“So I felt like I was pretty clear on that tonight and perhaps could have stayed out there for a few more overs to get us a few more runs at the back end. But I still think we’ve got a pretty deep batting lineup so it’ll be a waste if we didn’t get those guys out there as well.”

Those conditions had brought a reshuffle of Australia’s side, leaving out Darcie Brown for Grace Harris and pushing power hitter Georgia Wareham back down the order while promoting Litchfield.

New Zealand still had some chance after a sound start to their chase, but were always behind the required run rate, and that pressure brought a pile up of wickets. Schutt took arguably the biggest, defeating Kerr for 29.

New Zealand’s Maddy Green is bowled by Australia’s Annabel Sutherland.Credit: Getty Images

“For many years she’s been one of the best seamers in the world,” Kerr said of Schutt.

“She’s just very skilful, she’s a very smart cricketer and obviously early on swings the ball, very accurate and then has her leg cut at the death.

“But I think it’s probably her way to out think batters and her consistency that’s given her so much success, and a very good side as well.”

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