15 in a row! Australians cruise to dominant victory over New Zealand in series finale

Australia’s stranglehold over trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the 50-over format has continued after the reigning world champions secured a 75-run victory.

Australia’s stranglehold over trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the 50-over format has continued after the reigning world champions secured a 75-run victory at the Basin Reserve on Monday.

Alyssa Healy’s powerhouse team has ended 2024 on a positive note with a 2-0 series victory over the White Ferns in a pre-Christmas tour of Wellington.

Chasing a 291-run target for victory, New Zealand was bowled out for 215 in 43.3 overs with all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, who was later named player of the series, and leg-spinner Alana King each claiming three scalps.

Earlier, opener Phoebe Litchfield (50 off 59 balls) and all-rounder Ash Gardner (74 off 62 balls) cracked fifties as New Zealand bowled out the tourists for 290 in 49 overs, with leggie Amelia Kerr snaring four wickets.

The Kiwis have now lost 15 consecutive ODIs against Australia, a drought that dates back to 2017.

“To hold onto the Rose Bowl again is a great effort from our group,” captain Healy said during the post-match presentation.

“It was an excellent performance ... I’m pretty pleased.

“Overall, everyone should be pretty pumped with how they played.”

Ashleigh Gardner of Australia. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Having won the toss and choosing to bat first, Litchfield and captain Alyssa Healy combined for an 88-run opening partnership before Kerr began working her magic after the Powerplay.

The tweaker produced a pair of wrong-uns to knock over Healy and Ellyse Perry, bowled for 39 and 14 respectively, with the twin dismissals sparking a brief collapse of 4-39. Litchfield and Beth Mooney both fell victim to Kiwi seamer Rosemary Mair caught on the ring, leaving the Australians in a precarious position at 4-127 in the 22nd over.

However, Gardner and Sutherland revived the innings with a 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket. White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine removed Sutherland and rival vice-captain Tahlia McGrath to expose Australia’s tail before Gardner began counterattacking with a flurry of boundaries.

Kerr, who finished with figures of 4-45 from ten overs, returned in the 45th over to end Gardner’s demolition and trap Alana King on the pads, with Mair (3-58 from the overs) helping clean up the tail.

Meanwhile, the Kiwi bowlers were guilty of producing 33 wides across the innings, the most New Zealand has leaked in an ODI since 2004.

The White Ferns’ run chase got off for a promising start before opener Bella James attempted a wild slog against Sutherland and was bowled for 24.

Veteran batter Suzie Bates and Kerr formed 63-run stand for the second wicket to put the hosts in a strong position before Perry held onto a low chance in the outfield to send Bates packing for 53. The following over, Devine fended towards cover and called Kerr through for a suicidal single, running out her teammate for 22.

That was NEVER on!

Watch #AUSWvNZW on Kayo Sports now: https://t.co/sOOmnqnKOTpic.twitter.com/xeYY39xSYu

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 23, 2024

“It was my error,” Devine confessed during the post-match presentation.

“I probably thought she was a bit quicker than what she was.

“Mistakes like that are going to happen. I’ve owned up to that. I’ve apologised to her. Whether she’s accepted the apology or not is a different story.

“That happens in cricket, but they’re a real coach killer. You can’t really afford for a player like her to be run out by a misjudgement on my end.

“Disappointing from me, but you have to move on.”

Australian quick Darcie Brown toppled Devine for 25 with an absolute peach that nipped through the gate before Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green launched into an ominous counterattack.

However, King struck twice in the 37th over to swing momentum back in Australia’s favour, sending Halliday and Lauren Down back to the sheds to prompt a late collapse of 5-26.

Originally published as 15 in a row! Australians cruise to dominant victory over New Zealand in series finale