Cameron Half-Century Sets Up Win For Australia

Cameron Half-Century Sets Up Win For Australia

Jessica Cameron scored 59 in 41 balls to set up Australia's win in Sydney

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Australia Women 148-6 (Cameron 59) beat
New Zealand Women 145-7 (Bates 33) by 4 wickets
First Twenty20 International, Sydney
Scorecard

Jessica Cameron smashed 59 in 41 balls before Australia Women clinched a four-wicket win over New Zealand Women in the first Twenty20 International in Sydney,

Cameron hit eight fours and a six as her side closed on 148 for six with one ball to spare after New Zealand had managed to post 145 for seven.

New captain Suzie Bates top scored for the tourists with 33 while Frances Mackay (31) and Katie Perkins (31) also made useful contributions but two wickets apiece from Ellyse Perry, Julie Hunter and Jess Jonassen kept the game in the balance.

Australia were struggling at 44 for three after the dismissals of Leah Poulton (5), Alyssa Healy (1) and Meg Lanning (17) but their innings was revived by a 77-run partnership between Cameron and Alex Blackwell.

Blackwell made 35 in 33 balls and although both players, as well as Lisa Sthalekar (2) lost their wickets as Australia homed in on victory, the Southern Stars held their nerve thanks to Sarah Coyte's unbeaten 17 in 12 balls and Jonassen's eight in seven.

Coyte hit the winning runs with a boundary through the covers to put the home side 1-0 up in the five-match series which is punctuated by three One-Day Internationals.

Speaking after the game, a delighted Cameron said: "I'm very delighted with how we went, it's always a tough match against the Kiwis and to get across the line is always good.

"It's very important, momentum's a big thing in cricket and to get the first win on the board is always a pleasing start.

"I knew when I was out there and when Meg (Lanning) just got out that we had such a good batting line-up that a wicket here or there's not going to really matter in this side.

"I just had to keep going and work out how to get a partnership happening and fortunately enough we got one with Alex so it was good.

"It's always nice to hit the ball like that but then again Twenty20's a funny game so I've just got to keep going and hopefully I can do the same tomorrow."

© Cricket World 2012