The 3rd T20I was played in the capital city of Australia.The White Ferns were looking for a consolation win, but the Southern Stars yet again proved to be too strong against them. The Southern Stars whitewashed the White Ferns and will aim to continue their rich form in the T20 World Cup.
Winning the toss for the third consecutive time in the series, Meg Lanning was happy to bowl first. In the very first over of the game, Beth Mooney dropped a simple catch of Sophie Devine, result of miscommunication in the inner ring. But Sophie Devine couldn’t grasp the opportunity and was bowled by Delissa Kimmince in the 5th over for 11(15). In the very next over, Ellyse Perry took the wicket of Suzie Bates caught behind for 11(18). The kiwis weren’t able to take advantage of the fielding restrictions and the score at the end of the powerplay was 38-2. Having lost both the openers and the innings going nowhere,in the 7th over Maddy Green got stumped against Ashleigh Gardner for 6(10) trying to break the shackles. At the halfway stage, the score was 60-3.
In the 12th over, Perry came back into the attack and bowled Sattherthwaite. On the very next ball, Rachael Haynes took a screamer running around at covers to dismiss Watkin for nought. The White Ferns kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Between overs 11 to 14, they managed to score only 8 runs and lost 5 wickets. They were able to cross the 100 run mark courtesy of 19 run last wicket partnership between Katey Martin and Holly Huddleston. They weren’t able to play the complete quota of 20 overs and were skittled for 103. Katey Martin was the lone fighter for the kiwis and scored 35*(34) which included 3 fours. She needed support from the other end but no one stood out and weren’t able to post a respective total. Elysse Perry and Sophie Molineux were the pick of the bowlers. Elysse Perry finished with figures of 4-21 in her 4 overs which included 13 dot balls whereas Sophie Molineux with 3-11 in her 4 overs.
With 104 to chase, Alyssa Healy continued her rich form and Beth Mooney too tried to get in the act despite her recent form. They had a good powerplay with 39 on the board without losing a wicket. In the next 4 overs, Healy took on the bowling and both scored 39 of next 4 overs. They scored 78 at the halfway stage. Healy reached her 4th T20I fifty in 35 balls. She scored her 2nd fifty of the series. With 6 required to win, Healy found deep mid wicket fielder against Sophie Devine looking to finish the game in style. She was dismissed for 67(44) which included 12 fours and a maximum. In the next over, Ashleigh Gardner finished the game with a boundary and completed a clean sweep against the kiwis. Beth Mooney remained not out on 29(28) which included 4 fours. The Southern Stars chased the target in just 12.3 overs. Sophie Devine took the lone wicket.
Elysse Perry was awarded the Player of the Match for her excellent bowling figures of 4-21. Alyssa Healy was awarded the Player of the Series for her 132 runs in 3 matches.
Brief Scores:-
NZW- 103/10 in 19 overs
(Katey Martin 35*(34), Amy Sattherthwaite 14(17); Ellyse Perry 4-21, Sophie Molineux 3-11) lost to AUSW- 105/1 in 12.3 overs
(Alyssa Healy 67(44), Beth Mooney 29*(28); Sophie Devine 1-14) by 9 wickets
