The Australian Under-21 women’s side have finished convincing victors in their first Twenty20 match against the NZ Emerging players XI.
The Aussies required 117 for victory and did it comfortably with eight wickets and 2.1 overs to spare.
New Zealand would have been questioning their decision to bat first when they fell to nine for two early on, but Frances Mackay steadied the ship to guide them to 62 for two.
However a collapse would ensue, as they crumbled to 65 for five.
Mackay continued her amazing effort by carrying her team with a score of 69, before being run out on the final ball of the innings. No doubt it would have done the young captain’s confidence the world of good.
At the end of twenty overs the Emerging XI had put on the board 116 for eight.
Holly Ferling was the pick of the Australian bowlers and collected figures of two for 16 from four overs.
The Aussie U-21s made it clear from the get go that the run-rate wasn’t going to be a problem for them.
At two for 37 the Emerging XI had their best chance to kick on and create a collapse, but Nicola Carey and Claire Kosko had other ideas.
The two proceeded to hammer the bowling attack and put on an unbeaten 83 to lead their side to victory.
Koski finished with 49 not out, while Carey was unbeaten on 32. The pair managed to attain the runs with 13 balls and eight wickets in hand.
It was a disappointing for the Emerging XI, but they will get their chance at revenge tomorrow, when they play their second and final Twenty20 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.
