Aussies excel: Three key takeaways from the trans-Tasman WT20 series so far

The Australian Women’s Cricket team has once again shown why they’re the side to beat at the upcoming ICC WT20 World Cup.

Australia’s Georgia Wareham celebrates dismissing Georgia Plimmer during game two of the Women's T20 International Series between Australia and New Zealand at Great Barrier Reef Arena. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Australia has already locked away an unassailable 2-0 series lead in their WT20 series against New Zealand, meaning it’s time to reflect on what we’ve learned about both teams thus far.

Aussies find a way

True to the form of a world champion, the Aussies have found a way to get the job done in both games despite being up against it on numerous occasions.

In game one it was down to a scintillating 64 (43) not out from Phoebe Litchfield to lift the the team from a precarious 3/44 after the powerplay with two new batters at the crease, all the way to victory.

After firing with the bat initially in game two, the Aussies would have felt they left runs on the table to be all out for 142, but turned to bowlers Ash Gardner, Annabel Sutherland and co.to lift them to victory by restricting the Kiwis to just 7-113.

Annabel Sutherland of Australia celebrates with teammates after dismissing Suzie Bates during game one of the Women's T20 International Series between Australia and New Zealand at Great Barrier Reef Arena, (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Spin is king

Spin has been the driving force behind both teams when they’ve had success with the ball, with game two in particular seeing dominance from the turners.

Amelia Kerr put together a player-of-the-match-worthy performance for the Kiwis, picking up 4-20 from her four overs and was unlucky not to have a fifth after Ellyse Perry’s unusual dismissal ultimately went down as a run out.

Amelia Kerr celebrates the dismissal of Ash Gardner of Australia during game two of the Women's T20 International Series between Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“I felt the bowling performance from us was outstanding, we kept our plans really simple and I think that was the key for us,” Kerr said.

“Spin obviously plays a big role in women’s cricket in particular, and I expect in the (United Arab Emirates, host nation for the World Cup) there will be a lot of turning wickets for us to use to our advantage.”

Meanwhile, Gardner was crucial to the Aussies’ eventual victory, as she ended up being the one to take out player of the match honours thanks to her 3-16 from four overs.

Pace, by comparison, was used sparingly, as Kiwis quick Molly Penfold was taken to by the Aussies in game two and ended up bowling just two overs.

Make the most of the moments

Both teams had their opportunities to capitalise on key moments in both contests, and, for the most part, made the most of them.

Isabella Gaze produced a brilliant piece of glovework to dismiss a perplexed Perry in game two, with the Kiwis making the most of that moment to take the ascendancy in the latter portion of Australia’s innings.

Later in the same game, it looked as though Suzie Bates might be the one to take the game away from Australia as she motored to a run-a-ball 33, only for Litchfield to pull off a stunning, leaping catch in the covers to stop Bates in her tracks.

Phoebe Litchfield of Australia is congratulated by Tahlia McGrath after taking a screamer to remove Suzie Bates during game two of the Women's T20 International Series between Australia and New Zealand. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“For ‘Phoebs’ to step up in that moment was awesome for her, she does some great things in the field and I think that was just another example of it,” Gardner said.

Litchfield also survived a tight LBW shout early in her game one innings, before going on to make a match-winning half-century, another instance of the Aussies capitalising in a critical spot.

“It was probably a risk I didn’t need to take that early in the game (that led to the LBW appeal), but I survived it and just had to adjust,” Litchfield said after game one.

“I realised I just had to take my medicine from (Amelia Kerr) and then attack the other bowlers when I had the chance.”