AUS W vs NZ W Women’s T20 World Cup: Follow Live Score, Scorecard & Commentary

Done with the pre-match formalities!

We can see the two umpires make their way out to the middle followed by the players from both teams. Not too far away from the first ball being bowled, but before that, both sides line up for their respective national anthems. It will be New Zealand’s first followed by the national anthem of Australia.

PITCH REPORT – Mel Jones and Pommie Mbangwa provide their pitch report ahead of the match. Mel notes that it’s cooler tonight with a high of 36 degrees and mentions that the pitch is the same as the previous night. She highlights the dimensions, with a 4-meter difference between the off and on sides and a straight hit of 73 meters. Mbangwa adds insight into the pitch stats, explaining that wickets fall more frequently in Sharjah compared to Dubai and that the bounce is lower here, favoring spinners. He also comments on the even grass covering, suggesting the surface looks good and is likely to remain consistent throughout the game.

Sophie Devine, the captain of New Zealand Women says that they would have batted first as well. Adds that winning always helps and it was crucial to start the campaign on a positive note. Adds that they were doing the right things for a long time but the results did not go their way, so it was good to put up a performance like that on the big stage. Mentions that at the World Cup, everyone starts from scratch. Informs that Fran Jonas comes in for Jess Kerr as they think that spin would play a bigger role in this game.

Alyssa Healy, the skipper of Australia Women, announces that they will bat first, noting that the tournament has shown chasing to be challenging. She expresses confidence in putting a solid total on the board to defend later. Healy points out the slightly different conditions in Sharjah, with more grass on the pitch, offering some potential advantage. Australia makes one change, with Grace Harris replacing Darcie Brown as a like-for-like swap, emphasizing their depth in impact players. When asked about Harris bowling, Healy adds that she might bowl, but the team already has ample options in the bowling department.

New Zealand Women (Playing XI) – Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Melie Kerr, Sophie Devine (C), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Gaze (WK), Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Fran Jonas.

Australia Women (Playing XI) – Alyssa Healy (C/WK), Beth Mooney, Georgia Wareham, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt.

TOSS – The coin lands in favour of Alyssa Healy and Australia Women have elected to BAT first.

With the stakes high and the form of key players peaking at the right time, fans can expect a thrilling encounter between two of the best teams in the tournament. Will Australia’s well-rounded squad continue their dominance, or will New Zealand’s experienced stars lead them to an upset victory? One thing is certain: this match will play a crucial role in shaping the road to the semi-finals of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Stay tuned for toss and other match updates.

In their opening match, Australia Women showcased their well-rounded bowling attack by restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total of 93/7. Megan Schutt led the charge with an impressive 3/12 in her four overs, ably supported by Sophie Molineux, who took 2/20. Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Wareham chipped in with a wicket each, displaying the depth and variety in Australia’s bowling attack. Chasing the target, Australia cruised to a 6-wicket victory, with Beth Mooney anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 43 off 38 balls, supported by contributions from Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner. New Zealand Women, on the other hand, put in a dominant performance against India in their opener. Georgia Plimmer 34 and Suzie Bates 27 set a solid foundation with a 67-run opening stand before captain Sophie Devine took charge with a powerful unbeaten 57 off just 36 deliveries. New Zealand posted a competitive total of 160/4. Their bowlers then took control, with Lea Tahuhu 3/15 and Eden Carson 2/34 dismantling India’s top order. Rosemary Mair wrapped up the innings with an outstanding 4/19, as New Zealand registered a comprehensive 58-run victory.

This fixture also holds significance for the Indian women’s team. If New Zealand defeats Australia, India must win their remaining matches against Australia and Sri Lanka to secure a spot in the semi-finals. On the other hand, if Australia triumphs, India’s path becomes more complicated, as they would not only need to win their remaining matches but also hope New Zealand loses one of their two remaining games.

A warm welcome to each and everyone joining us here today as the Women’s T20 World Cup moves on to its next chapter. Defending champions Australia Women and New Zealand Women are set to clash in a crucial match in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Both teams began their campaigns with comfortable victories and will be looking to solidify their chances of reaching the tournament’s knockout stage. The winner of this match will take a significant step towards the semi-finals, while the losing side may find themselves relying on other results to advance.

… MATCH DAY …

As the second week of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup kicks into gear, anticipation builds for an exciting Group A showdown between two in-form teams. Both Australia Women and New Zealand Women opened their campaigns with impressive victories, setting the stage for an intense battle at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in match number 10. Australia secured a dominant win over Sri Lanka, while New Zealand ended their 10-match losing streak by defeating India. Australia, the defending champions, delivered a performance true to their reputation in their opening match against Sri Lanka. It was their bowlers who laid the perfect foundation, restricting Sri Lanka to a modest total of just 93 runs. Veteran pacer Megan Schutt set the tone with a brilliant spell, claiming three wickets, while the spinners took full advantage of the surface, applying pressure on the opposition’s batting lineup. On the batting front, Beth Mooney rose to the occasion despite challenging humid conditions, steadying the innings after early setbacks and guiding Australia Women to a comfortable chase. They sealed the game with 34 balls to spare, a result that also boosted their net run rate. New Zealand Women, on the other hand, produced a remarkable turnaround by defeating a formidable Indian side, firmly announcing their presence in the tournament. The White Ferns’ top order laid a solid foundation, but it was captain Sophie Devine’s unbeaten 57 that propelled them to an imposing total of 160 runs. Their bowlers, led by the experienced Lea Tahuhu and spinner Eden Carson, dismantled India’s batting lineup, with Rosemary Mair wrapping up the innings with four wickets, securing a commanding 58-run victory and significantly enhancing their net run rate. Both teams are riding high on confidence, but while Australia may be favourites on paper, New Zealand’s renewed form and resilience will ensure this clash is anything but straightforward. Who will seize the victory and rise to the top of the Group A standings? We shall soon find out!