Cricket is more than just a sport in countries like Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard—it’s a way of life, a shared passion that brings fans together across generations. When the Australia Women’s National Cricket Team, often called the Southern Stars, faces off against the New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team, known as the White Ferns, it’s a clash of titans. This Trans-Tasman rivalry is steeped in history, skill, and fierce competition. In this article, we’ll dive into a recent match between these two powerhouse teams, break down the scorecard, and explore what makes their encounters so special. Whether you’re a die-hard cricket fan or just curious about the game, this piece is written in a way that’s easy to follow and packed with insights.
The Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry: A Brief Overview
The Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard have a rivalry that stretches back decades. Both teams are among the best in the world, with Australia dominating the global stage by winning multiple ICC Women’s World Cups and T20 World Cups, while New Zealand has its own proud moments, including their 2024 T20 World Cup victory.
Matches between these two teams are always high-stakes, whether it’s a bilateral series, a World Cup clash, or a Commonwealth Games showdown. The proximity of the two nations, combined with their shared love for cricket, makes every encounter a spectacle. Fans on both sides of the Tasman Sea eagerly await these games, knowing they’ll see top-notch cricket from some of the world’s best players.
For this article, we’ll focus on a recent match from the 2024-25 season, specifically the third ODI of the Australia Women’s tour of New Zealand, played on December 23, 2024, at Basin Reserve, Wellington. This match was part of the ICC Women’s Championship, with crucial points on the line for qualification to the 2025 ODI World Cup. Let’s dive into the details of the match, the scorecard, and what it all means.
Match Context: Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 3rd ODI, December 23, 2024
The third ODI of the Australia Women’s tour of New Zealand was a pivotal game. Australia had already retained the Rose Bowl—the trophy contested between these two teams—after a win in the second ODI and a washout in the first. For New Zealand, this match was a chance to salvage pride and gain valuable ICC Women’s Championship points to boost their chances of automatic qualification for the 2025 ODI World Cup. The White Ferns were coming off a historic T20 World Cup win in 2024, but their ODI form had been inconsistent, with only one win in their last seven ODIs at Basin Reserve.
Australia, on the other hand, were in top form, having just completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep against India. With a star-studded lineup led by captain Alyssa Healy and featuring players like Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland, the Southern Stars were favored to dominate. But New Zealand, with their “big three” of Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, and Sophie Devine, were determined to put up a fight on their home turf.
Unfortunately, the Wellington weather had already played spoilsport in the first ODI, which was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The third ODI, however, went ahead, and it delivered a thrilling contest. Let’s break down the scorecard and key moments.
Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, 3rd ODI
Below is the detailed scorecard for the third ODI, played on December 23, 2024, at Basin Reserve, Wellington. Australia won the match by 75 runs, securing a 2-0 series victory (with the first match washed out).
Australia Women Innings: 290 all out (50 overs)
|
Batter |
How Out |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Alyssa Healy (c, wk) |
c Gaze b Jonas |
24 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 80.00 |
|
Beth Mooney |
c Bates b Kerr |
48 | 62 | 5 | 0 | 77.41 |
|
Phoebe Litchfield |
lbw b Carson |
36 | 45 | 4 | 0 | 80.00 |
|
Ellyse Perry |
c Green b Mair |
68 | 72 | 8 | 1 | 94.44 |
|
Ashleigh Gardner |
c Devine b Kerr |
33 | 39 | 3 | 0 | 84.61 |
|
Tahlia McGrath |
b Jonas |
27 | 34 | 2 | 0 | 79.41 |
|
Annabel Sutherland |
c Halliday b Mair |
45 | 28 | 6 | 1 | 160.71 |
|
Heather Graham |
run out (Kerr/Gaze) |
2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
|
Georgia Wareham |
not out |
8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
|
Alana King |
b Mair |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Megan Schutt |
c Gaze b Mair |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Extras: 19 (b 4, lb 5, w 10)
Total: 290 all out (50 overs, Run Rate: 5.80)
Fall of Wickets:
1-45 (Healy, 8.4 ov), 2-97 (Litchfield, 19.3 ov), 3-124 (Mooney, 24.5 ov), 4-190 (Gardner, 36.2 ov), 5-215 (Perry, 41.1 ov), 6-265 (McGrath, 46.5 ov), 7-274 (Graham, 48.3 ov), 8-290 (Sutherland, 49.4 ov), 9-290 (King, 49.5 ov), 10-290 (Schutt, 49.6 ov)
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rosemary Mair |
10 | 0 | 56 | 4 | 5.60 |
|
Jess Kerr |
8 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 5.87 |
|
Fran Jonas |
10 | 1 | 50 | 2 | 5.00 |
|
Eden Carson |
10 | 0 | 58 | 1 | 5.80 |
|
Amelia Kerr |
10 | 0 | 52 | 2 | 5.20 |
|
Sophie Devine (c) |
2 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 9.00 |
New Zealand Women Innings: 215 all out (47.2 overs)
|
Batter |
How Out |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Suzie Bates |
c Mooney b King |
66 | 82 | 8 | 0 | 80.49 |
|
Bella James |
c Perry b Sutherland |
0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Amelia Kerr |
c McGrath b King |
35 | 54 | 4 | 0 | 64.81 |
|
Sophie Devine (c) |
c Wareham b Sutherland |
25 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 65.79 |
|
Brooke Halliday |
b Sutherland |
14 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 70.00 |
|
Maddy Green |
c Mooney b King |
12 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
|
Izzy Gaze (wk) |
lbw b Wareham |
18 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 75.00 |
|
Lauren Down |
c Litchfield b Schutt |
15 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 68.18 |
|
Rosemary Mair |
run out (Jonassen) |
6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
|
Eden Carson |
c Perry b Schutt |
4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
|
Fran Jonas |
not out |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Extras: 20 (b 1, lb 6, w 13)
Total: 215 all out (47.2 overs, Run Rate: 4.54)
Fall of Wickets:
1-1 (James, 0.5 ov), 2-111 (Kerr, 22.3 ov), 3-135 (Bates, 26.6 ov), 4-149 (Halliday, 30.2 ov), 5-166 (Green, 34.5 ov), 6-174 (Devine, 38.4 ov), 7-194 (Gaze, 42.3 ov), 8-209 (Down, 45.2 ov), 9-215 (Mair, 46.6 ov), 10-215 (Carson, 47.2 ov)
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Annabel Sutherland |
8 | 1 | 34 | 3 | 4.25 |
|
Megan Schutt |
8.2 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 4.60 |
|
Kim Garth |
6 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 5.00 |
|
Alana King |
10 | 0 | 44 | 3 | 4.40 |
|
Georgia Wareham |
7 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 4.14 |
|
Jess Jonassen |
8 | 1 | 34 | 0 | 4.25 |
Result: Australia Women won by 75 runs.
Player of the Match: Annabel Sutherland (Australia) for her 45 runs and 3 wickets.
Player of the Series: Annabel Sutherland (Australia).
Key Moments of the Match
Australia’s Batting: A Solid Foundation
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision that paid off as they posted a formidable total of 290. The innings got off to a steady start with Alyssa Healy (24) and Beth Mooney (48) providing a solid foundation. Mooney, in particular, played an anchor role, ensuring the run rate stayed healthy despite early pressure from New Zealand’s bowlers.
Ellyse Perry was the star of the show, scoring a fluent 68 off 72 balls, including eight fours and a six. Her ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries kept Australia in control. Annabel Sutherland’s late flourish of 45 off just 28 balls, with six fours and a six, gave Australia the momentum they needed to push their total close to 300.
New Zealand’s Rosemary Mair was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 56 runs, including the scalps of Perry, Sutherland, Alana King, and Megan Schutt in quick succession at the death. Amelia Kerr and Fran Jonas also chipped in with two wickets each, but Australia’s deep batting lineup ensured they reached a challenging total.
New Zealand’s Chase: A Valiant Effort Falls Short
Chasing 291 was always going to be a tough ask for New Zealand, especially against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack. The White Ferns got off to a disastrous start, losing opener Bella James for a duck in the first over to Annabel Sutherland. However, a 110-run partnership between Suzie Bates (66) and Amelia Kerr (35) gave New Zealand hope. Bates was particularly aggressive, hitting eight fours and keeping the required run rate in check.
Australia’s bowlers, led by Sutherland and Alana King (both taking 3 wickets), struck at crucial moments. King dismissed both Kerr and Bates, breaking the backbone of New Zealand’s batting. Sophie Devine (25) and Brooke Halliday (14) tried to keep the chase alive, but Australia’s tight bowling, especially in the middle overs, built pressure through dot balls. The White Ferns struggled to find boundaries when needed, and their innings eventually folded for 215 in 47.2 overs.
Megan Schutt and Georgia Wareham also played key roles, with Schutt taking two wickets in the final overs to seal the deal. Australia’s fielding was sharp, with Beth Mooney and Ellyse Perry taking crucial catches.
Analysis: What Decided the Match?
Australia’s Depth and Discipline
Australia’s victory was a testament to their all-round strength. Their batting lineup, from top to bottom, contributed runs, with five players scoring 24 or more. This depth allowed them to recover from mini-collapses and post a competitive total. Ellyse Perry’s experience and Annabel Sutherland’s late aggression were pivotal in pushing Australia to 290.
On the bowling front, Australia’s ability to take wickets at regular intervals ensured New Zealand could never fully dominate. Annabel Sutherland’s pace and Alana King’s spin were particularly effective, with both bowlers maintaining an economy rate under 4.5. Australia’s low dot ball rate (48% in their batting innings) also highlighted their ability to keep the scoreboard ticking, a stark contrast to New Zealand’s struggles in the chase.
New Zealand’s Reliance on Key Players
New Zealand’s batting heavily relied on Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, and Sophie Devine, often referred to as their “big three.” While Bates and Kerr delivered, the lack of contributions from the rest of the lineup exposed their lack of depth, a recurring issue in ODIs. The absence of Lea Tahuhu due to injury and Georgia Plimmer due to a bone stress reaction further weakened their squad.
New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Rosemary Mair, showed fight, but they couldn’t contain Australia’s aggressive middle and lower order. The White Ferns also struggled in the death overs, conceding 70+ runs in the final 10 overs of Australia’s innings, which proved costly.
Historical Context: Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Australia has historically dominated this rivalry, winning 31 of 34 completed matches since the 2010s. However, New Zealand has had its moments, such as their two-run victory over Australia at Basin Reserve in 1994. The White Ferns’ T20 World Cup triumph in 2024 also showed they can compete with the best on their day.
This ODI series was particularly significant for New Zealand, as they needed points to secure automatic qualification for the 2025 ODI World Cup. Australia, already in a strong position, used the series to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming Women’s Ashes and the World Cup.
Player Performances to Watch
-
Ellyse Perry (Australia): Perry’s 68 runs in this match added to her impressive record against New Zealand, where she averages 104.7 over her last six ODI innings. Her all-round presence makes her a game-changer.
-
Annabel Sutherland (Australia): Named Player of the Match and Player of the Series, Sutherland’s contributions with bat and ball were decisive. Her ability to perform under pressure marks her as a rising star.
-
Suzie Bates (New Zealand): At 66, Bates showed why she’s a cornerstone of the White Ferns. Her experience and ability to anchor the innings are crucial for New Zealand.
-
Rosemary Mair (New Zealand): Mair’s 4 wickets, including three in the final over, highlighted her potential as a key bowler for New Zealand.
What’s Next for Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Both Teams?
For Australia, this series win is another feather in their cap as they prepare for the Women’s Ashes in January-February 2025. Their depth, experience, and ability to perform in clutch moments make them favorites for the 2025 ODI World Cup.
New Zealand, meanwhile, faces a challenging road ahead. Their next series is against Sri Lanka in March 2025, followed by another clash with Australia in T20Is. Improving their batting depth and finding consistency in ODIs will be critical if they hope to qualify automatically for the World Cup.
Why This Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Rivalry Matters
The Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard rivalry is more than just a contest of skill—it’s a celebration of the growth of women’s cricket. Both teams have played a significant role in elevating the sport, with Australia leading the way in professionalism and New Zealand inspiring with their grit and determination. Matches like this ODI showcase the talent, passion, and competitive spirit that make women’s cricket so exciting to watch.
For fans, these games are a chance to see world-class players like Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Suzie Bates, and Amelia Kerr in action. Whether you’re cheering from the stands at Basin Reserve or watching from home, the Trans-Tasman clash never fails to deliver drama, skill, and unforgettable moments.
Conclusion
The third ODI on December 23, 2024, was a classic example of why Australia Women’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Women’s National Cricket Team Match Scorecard are must-watch events. Australia’s 75-run victory was a display of their dominance, but New Zealand’s fight, led by Suzie Bates and Rosemary Mair, showed their potential to challenge the best. The scorecard tells the story of a match where Australia’s depth and discipline outshone New Zealand’s reliance on key players.
