Brilliant Bates Guides New Zealand To Sydney Victory

Brilliant Bates Guides New Zealand To Sydney Victory

Suzie Bates was on top form as she led her side to victory at the SCG

©REUTERS / Action Images

New Zealand Women 252-2 (Bates 122no) beat
Australia Women 248 (Candy 4-35) by 8 wickets
First One-Day International, Sydney
Scorecard
Report by John Pennington

New Zealand Women's captain Suzie Bates led her side to an eight-wicket victory in the first One-Day International against Australia Women in Sydney by scoring an unbeaten century.

Bates scored 122 not out at the Sydney Cricket Ground as the White Ferns overhauled a testing target of 249 with more than five overs to spare.

She was well supported by Amy Satterthwaite, who fell for 98, just missing out on a maiden ODI century and the pair put on 168 together for the second wicket.

Australia had earlier been bowled out fro 148 as Rachel Candy returned career-best figures of four for 35.

One of her victims was Erin Osborne, whose effort of 34 was also a career best. Meg Lanning held the innings together at the top of the order with 87 but a middle-order collapse, instigated by Candy removing Jess Cameron for six and Lisa Sthalekar for five handed New Zealand the advantage.

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Lanning, and then Jodie Fields (51 in 57 balls) in partnership with Osborne wrested back the initiative but Candy dismissed both to prevent Australia from hitting a score of 250 or more, which would have significantly increased their chances of victory.

In reply, Lucy Doolan was caught by Sthalekar off Sharon Millanta for 10 before Bates and Satterthwaite put together a partnership that is the fourth largest for New Zealand Women, but fell short - by two runs - of their record against New Zealand.

Nevertheless, by the time Lanning had Satterthwaite trapped in front agonisingly short of three figures, the White Ferns were 195 for twoin the 35th over and well on course for victory.

Bates completed her third ODI century, and eventually hit 16 fours and a six in 131 balls as she and Sara McGlashan (17 not out) guided their side over the finish line.

The second match in the four-game series is on Friday 14th December.

© Cricket World 2012