Australia comfortably beat New Zealand as they started their defence of the T20 World Cup with a 97-run win over New Zealand.

Because of good knocks from Alyssa Healy (55 off 38) and Meg Lanning (41 off 33) Australia set New Zealand 174 to win, and the White Ferns had been bowled out for simply 76 runs, with Ash Gardner ending with profession finest figures of 5-12.

After being put into bat, Australia bought off to the worst potential begin, shedding opener Beth Mooney for a duck within the first over courtesy of an ideal diving catch by Eden Carson off the bowling of Lea Tahuhu.

However the holders recovered nicely, and Healy shared a 70-run second-wicket partnership with captain Lanning.

New Zealand fought again, with the spectacular Amelia Kerr (3-23) and Tahuhu (3-37) taking two wickets in two overs.

These wickets did not cease a relentless Healy, who shared a 50-run partnership with Ellyse Perry (40) as Australia regarded like they might hit 180+.

With 5 overs left, Australia regarded to speed up and, in doing so, misplaced 5 wickets and fell from 148-4 to 167-9.

The injury had already been accomplished, and New Zealand had been set 174 runs to win. In response, they bought off to the worst potential begin, shedding each openers to geese within the first over.

Suzie Bates was bowled first ball by Megan Schutt (2-8) and the seamer struck once more when she trapped captain Sophie Devine lbw.

Sunday twelfth February 12:30pm

Australia took agency management of the match when Bernadine Bezuidenhout (14 off 10) was caught by Darcie Brown within the ultimate over off the powerplay.

Poor working between the wickets from Madeline Inexperienced (9 off 8) and Kerr, left New Zealand 4 down with simply 50 runs on the board and when Ash Gardner bowled Kerr (21 off 30) New Zealand had a mountain to climb.

The White Ferns may by no means get better and had been finally bowled out for simply 76 runs after simply 14 overs, with Gardner taking the final 4 wickets.

Amelia Kerr prime scored for New Zealand however solely Bezuidenhout (14 off 10) and Jess Kerr (10 off 10) reached double figures in a dismal run chase.

Schutt (2-8), Brown (1-11) and Perry (1-4) supported Gardner, who took a career-best 5-12. The result’s Australia greatest win in T20s, whereas the loss is New Zealand’s greatest on this format.

Gardner: Recreation arrange by the batters

Participant of the Match, Ash Gardner…

“That was arrange by our batters. They allowed us a bit extra freedom and suppleness with the ball. I used to be fortunate to take the wickets ultimately.

“I’ve labored lots on my wrist place to rise up and over the ball and attempt to flip it. For me, it is extra about my size, profiting from the size I can bowl as somebody fairly tall.”

Devine: Actually disappointing day

New Zealand captain, Sophie Devine…

“I assumed we had been poor in all sides however now we have to search out the positives in a event like this.

Australia batted very well and I assumed Lea Tahuhu and Amelia Kerr had been excellent with the ball for us.

A goal of 174 was going to be powerful however we misplaced early wickets and it was actually disappointing. That’s the solely technique to sum it up.”

Sunday twelfth February 12:30pm

Lanning: Hopefully we are able to kick on

Australia skipper, Meg Lanning…

“We got here into right this moment understanding it was going to be a problem with circumstances so to have the ability to adapt actually rapidly with the bat after which take early wickets, particularly Bates and Devine, [was great]. Hopefully we are able to kick on and proceed to get higher.”

Monday thirteenth February 12:30pm

What’s subsequent?

New Zealand will keep in Boland Park, Paarl subsequent, the place they face South Africa Monday at 5pm. Australia flip their consideration to Bangladesh at St George’s Park, Gquberha on Tuesday at 5pm.

India start their marketing campaign on Sunday in opposition to Pakistan (1pm) earlier than Sri Lanka, who surprised hosts South Africa on Friday night time, look to make it two wins from two after they meet Bangladesh (5pm).

Watch each T20 World Cup match stay on Sky Sports activities.