New Zealand vs Australia [W] 2024/25, New Zealand Women vs Australia Women 2nd ODI, Wellington Match Report, December 21, 2024

Australia 291 for 7 (Sutherland 105*, McGrath 34, Penfold 4-42, Carson 2-65) won New Zealand 122 for 5 (Kerr 38, James 27, Garth 2-17) by 65 runs via DLS

After Thursday’s opener in the three-match series was washed out on the same ground, Sutherland steadied Australia from a mid-innings wobble in seam conditions to finish unbeaten on 105 off 81 balls. Healy played as a specialist batsman and scored 34 for 32 at the top of the order, while Beth Mooney took the gloves during New Zealand’s innings.

Fresh from a commanding 110 in the series final against India at the WACA, Sutherland became the first batsman to hit consecutive ODI centuries from number 5 and made tough batting conditions look easy to lead Australia to a impressive 291 out of 7.

New Zealand faced an uphill task in their bid to achieve the second-highest run chase in ODI cricket. Debutant Bella James got off to a good start and showed her batting power by taking seamer Megan Schutt for six into the stands.

But fellow opener Suzie Bates, who earlier presented James with her cap, fell to the quick Kim Garth in the sixth when she overtook Ashleigh Gardner in the gully. There were questions about whether Gardner had stuck his fingers under a ball that landed close to the ground, but replays confirmed the original soft call.

James’ joyous 27 runs off 33 ended on the last ball of the powerplay as he attempted to hit Garth over midwicket only for Alana King to take a well-judged catch running back.

When captain Sophie Devine removed Ellyse Perry, New Zealand fell to 60 for 3 in the 16th over and the only threat to an inevitable Australian victory was the darkening skies.

Inclement weather did not come until 31st place, well after the minimum 20 points required for a result, with New Zealand at 122 for 5 and well below par score. Play was soon suspended as Australia recorded their 14th consecutive ODI victory over their neighbours.

It continues Australia’s winning streak since their T20 World Cup disappointment and follows their 3-0 ODI series win against India at home.

After Devine elected to bowl under overcast skies, New Zealand failed to make the most of the favorable conditions and were let down by patchy fielding. James, known for having a sure pair of hands, had a rough start on the field and lost three catches.

Devine was tactically astute but her players, apart from Penfold, were unable to generate enough pressure and Sutherland made them pay at the back.

All eyes at the start of the game were on Healy, who made her international return as a specialist batsman after rupturing her plantar fascia against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. He subsequently missed the India series due to a knee injury in the early stages of the WBBL season.

Having made a memorable century in her debut international series, 21-year-old opener Georgia Voll unfortunately had to make way as Healy returned to the top of the order alongside Phoebe Litchfield.

Healy, who has been practicing hard in the nets in recent weeks, was determined to make up for lost time and broke a second ball boundary off the quick Rosemary Mair, who did not bowl the ball consistently enough with the new ball.

Penfold also struggled in his opening period as Healy seized the moment and scored 34 of Australia’s first 41 runs. But then he mistimed a Penfold short delivery to midwicket and slammed his bat in frustration before trudging off the field.

The game changed as Litchfield and Perry battled after the power play as Penfold returned to the attack. He had Perry play a climbing delivery before luring Mooney to drive and James caught a thick outside edge in the gully.

Just like against India in Perth, Sutherland and Gardner had to rebuild and once again withstood the pressure with a 50-run partnership.

Having returned to form with a half-century in her final innings, a confident Gardner used her feet to attack the spinners until she was deceived by a looping delivery from off-spinner Eden Carson which swung sharply past the bat and crashed into the stumps.

Penfold, who had taken just five wickets in her previous 12 ODIs, was frustrated when James left Tahlia McGrath at extra cover before taking care of business herself cleanly bowling Australia’s vice-captain for 34 in the 41st over.

But Sutherland took control in the closing stages and made New Zealand pay for their sloppy fielding as he cruised to his third ODI century. He bowled Carson for two towering sixes down the ground before sealing his ton off 78 balls in the final over.

Sutherland fittingly ended the innings with a boundary as he continued his astonishing rise in international cricket.