Ash Gardner launches Australia to victory in game one of T20 series against New Zealand
Australia rode its luck — including a decisive non-call during its innings — to clinch victory over New Zealand in a T20 match which signalled the return of fans to international cricket.
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They may have benefited from its absence but Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner admits the decision review system should be used for all women’s cricket series after their fortunate 17-run Twenty20 international win over New Zealand.
In Australia’s first game since their T20 World Cup triumph in March, Gardner thrashed a 41-ball 61 to steer the hosts to 6-138 after losing the toss and early wickets on Saturday.
Wiley seamer Megan Schutt (4-23) then sealed Australia’s sixth straight T20I win over New Zealand who were restricted to 7-121 at Allan Border Field.
DEAN JONES: TRIBUTES FLOW FOR MUCH-LOVED CRICKETER
Gardner conceded Australia got the rub of the green in the series opener without the use of DRS after White Ferns captain Sophie Devine came off second best from two contentious calls.
Devine (3-18) threatened to rip through the Aussies with two wickets in three balls to have the hosts reeling at 5-82 in the 14th over.
She looked to have snared her fourth scalp moments later when Nicola Carey appeared to have edged behind, only to be denied by the umpire.
Nicola Carey needs to work on her poker face! 😅 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/iJw7qUi0Kb
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 26, 2020
Full marks to Nicola Carey for that grin after the not out decision. #AUSvNZ
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) September 26, 2020
Carey’s sheepish grin afterwards indicated a knick and her batting partner Gardner later confirmed it.
“Oh, she was out. She came down and said ‘did you hear that?’ and I was like ‘yeah, you middled it’,” Gardner said.
“And all the Kiwis were giving her a bit of stick. (But) you only walk if you’re given out ... She looked guilty as charged.”
It shifted momentum back to Australia as Gardner teed off in a 44-run sixth wicket stand with Carey.
There was more frustration for Devine when she kicked started New Zealand’s chase with 29 off 34 balls before being given out stumped.
A frame by frame breakdown on TV replays made it difficult to see if Devine had got her foot behind the crease before quick thinking ‘keeper Alyssa Healy whipped off the bails but the third umpire still gave her the red light.
While the lack of DRS helped Australia, Gardner admitted the review system should be used in all women’s series.
“Where the women’s game is going there should be no reason (not) to use that technology if it’s there,” she said.
“Probably in the next one to two years that’s something that will definitely be adapted all around the world.”
Devine refused to blame the lack of DRS, saying New Zealand must learn to “put the foot on the throat” in the series which continues in Brisbane on Sunday.
“Ïf the technology is available across the series then absolutely (use it) but we know there is no DRS at all this series so we have to live with it,” she said.
“I have full trust in the umpires but they are going to make mistakes just like us players do too.
“We’ve just got to be better. We can’t blame anyone else but ourselves.”
New Zealand have not beaten Australia since 2017 in either T20Is or ODIs.
AUSSIES WIN WITHOUT PERRY
No Perry, no worries – that appears to be the mantra adopted by Australia after again overcoming the unavailability of their matchwinner on Saturday.
Australia are hopeful Perry will feature against New Zealand during their series of three T20Is and three ODIs – all in Brisbane – as she continues her recovery from a hamstring injury suffered at the World Cup in March that required surgery.
But Australia won’t be tempted to rush her back after lifting in her absence, just as they did at the World Cup where Perry’s injury didn’t stop the hosts thrashing India by 85 runs in the final.
Perry told Seven Network on Saturday that she was “touch and go” for the matches against New Zealand but was close to being 100 per cent fit.
AUSSIES CONTINUE HOT STREAK
Yet another victory over New Zealand has extended Australia’s remarkable streak against their trans-Tasman rivals in women’s cricket.
Australia have not lost to the White Ferns since early 2017 thanks to a run of six straight one-day international wins and now six consecutive T20I triumphs.
Australia now have their fourth straight T20I series victory against New Zealand in their sights.
Yet in one-day internationals, Australia are even more dominant.
They have held the Rose Bowl Trophy – awarded to the trans-Tasman ODI series winner – for 20 years thanks to a stunning run of 18 straight victories.
MUM’S THE WORD FOR SATTERTHWAITE
No matter what the result it was always going to be a day to remember for ex-New Zealand captain Amy Satterthwaite on Saturday.
The world class batter became just the second New Zealand player to notch 100 women’s T20Is and 16th overall when she walked out on to Allan Border Field.
Yet it also marked what was no doubt a more special milestone for the White Ferns veteran.
She was making her international return after having her first child with wife and teammate Lea Tahuhu.
The 33 year old had missed the 2020 World Cup due to maternity leave after giving birth to daughter Grace.
Nine months after starting a family, Satterthwaite hit the field to start their Australian tour in which baby Grace is in tow with assistance in their biosecurity bubble from a nanny.
The No. 4 batter made just nine from 12 balls on Saturday but it is in the three-match ODI series starting next weekend where Satterthwaite is expected to truly thrive.
She is a former world No. 1 ODI batter, at one stage stroking four straight hundreds to equal the world record held by Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara.
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Originally published as Ash Gardner launches Australia to victory in game one of T20 series against New Zealand