New Zealand women are on the verge of a semi-final place at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 after a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Australia in Nagpur.
The White Ferns recorded their third successive Group A victory after Australia failed to recover sufficiently from slumping to four for four.
Off-spinner Leigh Kasperek took three wickets in the powerplay, while Meg Lanning was run out to leave the Southern Stars facing an uphill task.
Proper win from the @WHITE_FERNS – great viewing. Keep it up girls
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) March 21, 2016
When Alex Blackwell was bowled by Erin Bermingham, Australia were 30 for five after 11 overs, but Elysse Perry hit 42 from 48 balls and Jess Jonassen added 23 from 22 deliveries to carry them to 103 for eight.
New Zealand made light work of their target, with openers Suzie Bates and Rachel Priest both clearing the rope in an opening stand of 58.
Priest holed out to leg-spinner Kristen Beams for 34 and Bates was run out for 23, but Amy Satterthwaite hit the winning runs as New Zealand got home with 3.4 overs to spare.
Player of the match? A star turn from Leigh Kasperek, 3-13 at the top just devastating Australia. #Wt20 #NZ pic.twitter.com/k9KlFAdVcs
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) March 21, 2016
Source: ECB