The Australian Southern Stars have kicked off their defence of the Rose Bowl with a clinical 115 run One-Day International win over the White Ferns at the Adelaide Oval today.
After being put into bat, opener Rachael Haynes struck a classy 56 and shared a 102 first wicket partnership with Shelley Nitschke (35) to set up the Australian innings.
The White Ferns fought back in the middle stages taking four wickets for 42 runs but number three batsman Alex Blackwell held onto her wicket and hit 51 to ensure Australia set an imposing total of 241.
Wickets were shared between the White Ferns’ bowling attack with Kate Pulford’s two for 33 the best. Aimee Watkins (2 for 42) and Amy Satterthwaithe (2 for 52) also made useful contributions with the hosts also losing two wickets to run outs.
The run chase started positively enough with 20 runs coming off the first four overs but the loss of Watkins for one sparked a collapse that saw the White Ferns reduced to seven for 60 within 20 overs.
Wicket keeper batsman Katey Martin (35) and all rounder Sophie Devine (19) put some respectability into the score card with an eight wicket stand of 47 but the resistance was short lived as they were bundled out for 126 in 36.1 overs.
Spinner Lisa Sthalekar led the dominant Australian bowling line up, taking three for 25 with opening bowlers Ellyse Perry and Sarah Andrews chipping in with two apiece.
The White Ferns don’t have much time to turn things around with the two teams meeting tomorrow at the same venue.
