Healy, Mooney, and Perry shine as Australia secures a commanding 60-run victory against New Zealand. Discover the highlights and key moments of the match.
Introduction:
Australia continued their irresistible run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a match-winning 60-run over New Zealand, taking them to 13 successive victories in the tournament. The win placed Australia surely in contention for the semi-finals but was a testament also to their unmatched all-round strength. On the other hand, New Zealand’s defeat was detrimental to their net run rate, distancing them significantly from advancing in the tournament.
See also: India’s Young Guns Crush Bangladesh in Dominant T20I Victory
All-round Show by Australia
The Australians had clinical efficiency in every department. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney at the top order ensured the game was never out of Australia’s hands. Not a single real swing or help came from her teammates, but at a rather sluggish pitch, Australia could muster only 148 for 8. Amelia Kerr was the only New Zealand player who could somehow keep hope alive for her side with some sharp bowling, ending up with 4 for 26. The chase was always going to be challenging for the Kiwis, though, as they failed at it.

New Zealand batsmen failed to resist Australia’s disciplined bowling. Suzie Bates was able to score 20 off 27 and Kerr scored 29 off 31, but the spell of Megan Schutt at 3 for 3 ensured that New Zealand never came too close. Her spell got her the award for Player-of-the-Match as Australia bundled New Zealand out for a mere 88.

Healy’s Aggressive Start
Australia’s decision to bat first was fruitful, especially after Alyssa Healy took it upon herself during the powerplay. She survived an lbw review early in the innings and from there went on to build some good shots against Fran Jonas and others with powerful strokes to score 26 off 20 balls. Great shots over mid-off and extra cover laid the base for the Australians. While losing Healy in the sixth over was a setback, her aggressive start to the match had already won it for Australia by then.

Mooney and Perry Steady the Innings
Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry continue to build on the good platform laid after Healy’s departure. Though it was tough for Perry to rotate the strike early on, the partnership kept ticking through singles and the occasional boundary. Mooney composed 40 off 32 balls to keep the scoreboard ticking, though boundaries were far and few between.
After being dropped once, Perry went on to fully cash in on the breather. Good hitting at the backend of the innings, especially a six off long-off, ensured Australia walked back with a decent total to defend. But Amelia Kerr’s three quick wickets at the middle overs did not let Australia bat out of their skins, restricting them to 148 for 8.

New Zealand’s poor batting
It was a chase of 149 and pressure from the very beginning. New Zealand batters were under tremendous pressure right from the word go. The Australian bowlers had been worked out on a disciplined approach by Megan Schutt, not allowing the Kiwis to find much rhythm. Line and length from Schutt strangled New Zealand’s scoring prospects and good support in hands of Sophie Molineux and Annabel Sutherland as they shared wickets between them.

New Zealand could manage just 29 runs in the powerplay, and that put them in trouble. Every passing over saw wickets falling, and pressure mounting. Suzie Bates and Kerr did fairly well themselves, but they didn’t appear to possess storming power. The middle order simply seemed to buckle under pressure and post 88/5 in the last 20 overs, something around 60 runs short of Australia’s total.
Field Performance by Australia
The clinical field performance by Australia was amazing. They adapted to the very slow conditions by relying on precise bowling and sharp fielding not to let New Zealand settle at any moment. The impressive figure of 3 for 3 by Schutt shows how dominant Australia was with the ball as the Kiwi batters could not find holes and boundaries.

The win not only proved the depth of Australia, but they have also emerged as favourites for the trophy. It is, after all, the only unbeaten side in their group and already two wins in two games with a net run rate of 2.524- they are well on their way to the semis.
Conclusion:
The all-round prowess of the Australian team was neatly reflected in this comprehensive victory over New Zealand. From Healy’s aggressive start to Mooney and Perry’s solid partnership and Schutt’s brilliant bowling, Australia had each and every aspect of their plans perfectly worked out. For New Zealand, there are plenty of things to ponder about as their net run rate has been hit and they are now at the third position of group standings.