JOIN USAustralia recorded a comfortable seven-wicket victory over New Zealand after opener Meg Lanning smashed her way to a 104-ball 112 in their ICC Women’s World Cup match on Tuesday.
Chasing 228 after opting to bat second, Australia raced to the win with as many as 70 balls to spare, at the DRIEMS Ground, Tangi. The 21-year-old Lanning, who blasted 17 fours and a six during her stay at the crease, found an able ally in Jess Cameron, with whom she added 182 runs for the second wicket in just 29 overs.
Cameron made 82 while facing 87 balls, and hit 12 fours and a six. Lanning’s effort ensured New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates’ century went in vain. Bates’ 134-ball 102 was the knock around which the Kiwis built their innings after losing four wickets with just 39 runs on the board.
Australia’s Megan Schutt was the pick of the bowlers as she finished with three for 40 from 10 overs.
Score board
NEW ZEALAND: Lucy Doolan b Schutt 9, Suzie Bates c Sthalekar b Coyte 102, Amy Satterthwaite c Cameron b Schutt 0, Sophie Devine c Lanning b Schutt 9, Sara McGlashan c Haynes b Hunter 1, Katie Perkins (run out) 41, Nicola Browne (not out) 39, Rachel Priest (not out) 14. Extras (B-4, LB-3, W-4, NB-1) 12. Total (for 6 wkts, 50 overs) 227.
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-11, 3-32, 4-39, 5-142, 6-211.
Bowling: Ellyse Perry 10-0-50-0, Megan Schutt 10-1-40-3, Julie Hunter 6-2-17-1, Lisa Sthalekar 10-2-36-0, Erin Osborne 5-0-31-0, Sarah Coyte 9-0-46-1.
AUSTRALIA: Meg Lanning c Priest b Candy 112, Rachel Haynes b Tahuhu 5, Jess Cameron c Priest b Ruck 82, Alex Blackwell (not out) 14, Lisa Sthalekar (not out) 8. Extras (LB-2, W-3, NB-2) 7. Total (for 3 wkts, 38.2 overs) 228.
Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-201, 3-214.
Bowling: Lea Tahuhu 10-0-38-1, Rachel Candy 8.2-0-46-1, Sian Ruck 10-0-47-1, N Browne 1-0-16-0, L Doolan 4-0-33-0, A Satterthwaite 3-0-27-0, S Bates 2-0-19-0.