Peterson hat-trick clinches T20 victory over Australia
New Zealand spinner Anna Peterson took only the sixth hat-trick in women’s Twenty20 internationals to spearhead a nine-run, rain-affected win over Australia in Geelong.
After a half-hour rain delay during their innings, Australia needed 35 from five overs to win and were never in the hunt.
Peterson bowled the last over — her first of the match — and the first three deliveries were wickets. She is the first New Zealander to take a women’s T20 hat-trick.
Needing 70 to win under the DuckworthLewis system, Australia finished on 61-9 from 13 overs in reply to New Zealand’s 101-9 from their 20 overs.
The White Ferns levelled the series at one game apiece ahead of Wednesday’s decider in Adelaide.
Rain stopped play for 30 minutes during the Australian innings. The hosts were already in trouble when the rain arrived at 35-3 off eight overs, four behind their par score.
Australia needed 11 off the last over and Peterson’s three wickets were brought about by the batters attempting big hits. There was also a run out off the last ball of the match.
Peterson took 3-2 in her one over and Elyse Villani top-scored with 19.
Earlier, off-spinner Molly Strano produced the best performance by an Australian bowler in women’s T20 internationals, taking 5-10. Strano was on a hat-trick and went within one dropped catch of becoming only the second woman to take six wickets in an international T20.
The only other Australian woman to take five wickets in a T20 international was Julie Hunter, who snared 5-22 against the West Indies five years ago in a World T20 semifinal.
Strano bowled the last over of the innings and took three wickets in four balls.
It was nearly four wickets from five balls — on the last delivery of the innings, Erin Bermingham lofted a drive to deep mid-wicket and Megan Schutt dropped a tough chance.
New Zealand captain Suzie Bates top scored with 30 after losing the toss.