Kiwis women beat Australia in first ODI

Auckland, Feb 26: Amy Satterthwaite scored an unbeaten century as the New Zealand women’s cricket team defeated the Australian team by five wickets in the opening match of the Rose Bowl Series at the Eden Park Stadium here on Sunday.

Requiring 276 runs for victory, New Zealand openers Suzie Bates (55) and Rachel Priest (20) put on 58 runs before Australian leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington (2/51) dismissed Priest.

A 74-run partnership between Satterthwaite (102 not out) and Katey Martin (43) looked to have New Zealanders on home track. But Wellington again got the pivotal breakthrough when she had Martin caught by Lauren Cheatle.

Needing 60 runs off the last 10 overs, Satterthwaite and Katie Perkins (29) looked comfortable as the target got closer. Satterthwaite brought up her century before An Peterson (8 not out) finished off the job.

Having won the toss and elected to bat earlier in the day, Australia rode on opener Beth Mooney’s maiden One-Day Intertiol (ODI) century to post 275 runs before being all out in 48.4 overs.

The visitors made a steady start before losing opener Nicole Bolton (11) and captain Meg Lanning rather cheaply (15).

Mooney (100) looked unfazed as she began to score with more ease and continued to rotate the strike, with Rachel Haynes (50) providing superb support from the other end.

Following Haynes’ dismissal, Elyse Villani (50) came to the crease and had an instant impact with her aggression, hammering her maiden ODI half-century off just 42 balls.

Mooney’s innings, which had six hits to the ropes, came to an end in the 45th over, her performance ensuring that Australia posted a competitive total.

Brief scores: Australia: 275 in 48.4 overs (Beth Mooney 100, Rachel Haynes 50, Elyse Villani 50; Lea Tahuhu 4/59) vs New Zealand: 276/5 in 49.1 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 102 not out, Suzie Bates 55; Amanda-Jade Wellington 2/51). IANS