The second women’s T20I between Australia and New Zealand was a tightly contested match that ultimately saw Australia emerge victorious by a narrow margin of 29 runs. Both teams struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game, resulting in a low-scoring encounter.
Ellyse Perry’s brain fade moment occurrence
In a match that saw Australia set a modest target of 143 runs against New Zealand, all-rounder Ellyse Perry found herself in a peculiar situation. The usually reliable batter, renowned for her elegant strokes and tactical acumen, was caught off guard by a simple delivery. In the 12th over of the Australian innings, Amelia Kerr bowled a full toss outside the leg stump. Perry, attempting a sweep shot, failed to connect with the ball and was dismissed by wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze.
This was a rare instance where Perry, a veteran of over 300 international matches, appeared uncertain at the crease. Known for her composure and ability to adapt to different bowling conditions, her dismissal came as a surprise to many. The incident highlighted the unpredictability of cricket, even for the most experienced players.
Here’s the video:
When you accidentally press the triangle button 😬 😬 😬 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/yjhc0qnCNn
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 22, 2024
Also READ: Phoebe Litchfield’s heroics lead Australia to win over New Zealand in the 1st T20I
Australia’s gritty first innings
Despite Perry’s dismissal, managed to post a total of 142 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The Australian batting lineup faced a tough challenge from the New Zealand bowlers, who bowled with discipline and accuracy. Alyssa Healy, the Australian captain, led the way with a well-crafted innings of 38 runs. Ashleigh Gardner also made a valuable contribution, scoring 18 runs. However, Australia’s batting order struggled to maintain a consistent scoring rate, and they lost wickets at regular intervals.
New Zealand’s collapse in chase
New Zealand’s chase got off to a promising start, with Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer putting on a 37-run partnership. However, the New Zealand batting order collapsed after the early wickets, and they were unable to recover. Kerr and Sophie Devine both made significant contributions, but it was not enough to prevent New Zealand from falling short of their target. With this victory, Australia took a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. The final match of the series is set to take place in Brisbane on Tuesday, September 24.
Also READ: Australia seal series with dominant win over New Zealand by 29 runs in the 2nd T20I
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.
