Aussies clinch it in style
T20 series win over Kiwis
EXPERIENCED duo Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes have guided women’s world champions Australia to a series-clinching, eight-wicket Twenty20 international win over New Zealand in Brisbane on Sunday.
Set 129 for victory, Australia reached the target with 20 balls to spare, after captain Lanning (26 not out off 32 balls) and her deputy Haynes (40 not out off 31) shared an unbeaten 65-run third wicket stand, following early fireworks from Alyssa Healy (33 off 17).
Backing up from Saturday’s 17-run victory, Australia sealed its fourth straight T20 series win over New Zealand with a game still to play on Wednesday.
In their first series since March’s T20 World Cup triumph, Australia nabbed its seventh straight T20 victory and 13th overall across all limited overs formats against New Zealand.
After winning the toss, New Zealand was bowled out for 128 with four balls to spare, with leggie Georgia Wareham (3-26) and seamer Delissa Kimmince (3-21) ripping through the White Ferns at Allan Border Field.
In contrast to New Zealand, Healy had no complaints after entering the record books on Sunday.
The Aussie wicketkeeper took her career total of T20I dismissals to 92 in her 114th international with the stumping and a contentious caught behind call that went against
Lauren Down (12). She now has the most wicketkeeper dismissals in T20I history, overtaking Indian great MS Dhoni’s haul of 91 from 98 men’s matches.
REIGNING Premiers Cavaliers and Northern Hawks have booked their spot in Saturday’s State League netball grand final to set up a rematch of last years game.
Both teams managed to overcome slow starts before taking control with Hawks beating Cripps 70-49, while Cavaliers overcame a determined Kingston to win 61-50.
Hawks got the early jump on Cripps opening up a fourgoal lead before Cripps goalies Megan Harper and Lauren Thornbury really stepped up the work rate and rotation in the circle with Hawks leading 19-15 at the first break.
Cripps came out fighting in the second with some excellent movement in attack to take the lead.
Alex Vinen out at goal defence for Cripps was instrumental in shutting down the space for Hawks as Cripps did a fantastic job delaying the entry into Hawks circle, with Hawks looking rattled for the first time in weeks.
A few missed opportunities for Cripps though saw Hawks maintain a 33-31 lead at half time. Hawks showed why they finished on top in the premiership quarter to take a 49-39 lead.
The Cavaliers used their rolling subs well to help increase their intensive pressure though to push the lead out to 29-25 over Kingston at half time.
Kingston battled hard in the last term with Rebecca Hyland arguably the best on court despite the loss.
In the under 19s Devon gave minor premiers Cripps a scare early, before Cripps ran away in the second half to win 60-37, while Cavaliers won 47-44 in a thriller against cross town rival Hawks.