White Ferns lose bowl-off

The White Ferns took world champion Australia to sudden death bowl-off in the first trans-Tasman women’s Twenty20 international at Brisbane.

The Southern Stars broke a tie by earned victory winning the bowl off at Allan Border Field, after the White Ferns restricted the home team to 141 for five.

The New Zealanders were sent in and made 141 for seven from their innings, after openers Rebecca Rolls (41) and Maria Fahey (pictured, 43) set a strong base with a stand of 80 from 10 overs.

Having stood on 109 for three in the 16th over, a frenetic finale saw them lose four more wickets.

In the run chase, Karen Rolton made 71 and Louise Milliken, Sophie Devine and Sarah Burke all took a wicket each, with two run-outs made as the Australians sought victory.

Burke then made a direct hit in the sudden death extra time, but ‘wickets’ by Sarah Andrews and Julie Hayes gave the Stars victory.