Phoebe Litchfield has blasted her highest Twenty20 international score to steer Australia to a five-wicket victory against New Zealand in the series opener in Mackay.
The talented left-hander crafted an unbeaten 64 from 43 balls, saving Australia from trouble when she arrived at the crease with the hosts reeling at 3-44.
Litchfield, 21, batted flawlessly for the second T20I half-century of her career to help inflict New Zealand with a record-equalling eighth straight defeat in the game’s shortest international format.
Australia went past the White Ferns’ 7-143 with eight balls to spare to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
It was not a perfect night for Australia, however, with the home side losing star allrounder Ash Gardner to a bizarre injury in the warm-up.
The reigning Belinda Clark award winner was ruled out of Thursday night’s match after colliding with teammate Georgia Wareham when throwing around a vortex.
Gardner copped a hit to the jaw during the warm-up game and was placed in concussion protocols given she has a history of head knocks.
Fellow allrounder Heather Graham received the late call-up to replace Gardner, with Australia coach Shelley Nitschke calling the incident “hectic”.
“We walked out and there’s something happening in warm-up and and then Ash was on the ground, and unfortunately she was ruled out of the game,” Nitschke told the Seven Network.
“She’s good. It’s just a precaution.
“She’s in concussion protocols at the moment and given we’ve got a fair bit of cricket ahead of us we ruled her out of the game.
“She’s had a test and she passed, but you’ve got to stay in those protocols for a certain amount of time.”
Australia’s bowling attack restricted New Zealand to 7-143. (AAP: Jono Searle)
New Zealand also suffered a blow of its own with captain Sophie Devine unavailable due to an ankle injury.
Suzie Bates was named skipper in Devine’s absence.
The White Ferns struggled to get going after electing to bat first, as number five Maddy Green top-scored with 35.
All six of Australia’s bowlers — Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Heather Graham, Megan Schutt and Tayla Vlaeminck — took a wicket each.
Meanwhile, powerful Australian batter Grace Harris has been ruled out of the series after straining her right calf at training this week.
Australia expects her to be fit and available for next month’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.
AAP
