Coyte Stars As Australia Beat New Zealand

Coyte Stars As Australia Beat New Zealand

Shelley Nitschke (left) also took a couple of wickets as Australia moved into a 1-0 series lead over New Zealand

©Action Images / Paul Harding Livepic

Australia Women 123-6 (Healy 28no, Browne 2-21) beat
New Zealand Women 122-9 (McGlashan 48) by 4 wickets
Second Rose Bowl Twenty20 International, Nelson
Scorecard

Debutante Sarah Coyte took two wickets, effected two run outs and scored an unbeaten 14 as Australia Women struck first with a four-wicket win over New Zealand Women in the second Twenty20 International in the Rose Bowl series in Nelson.

After the opening game in Hamilton was washed out, New Zealand scored 122 for nine from their 20 overs before Australia closed on 123 for six with two balls to spare.

Coyte returned figures of two for 18 from her four overs, dismissing Nicola Browne (0) and Elizabeth Perry (1) before also running out Lucy Doolan for 15 and Erin Bermingham for two.

Aimee Watkins (39) and Sara McGlashan (48) had put New Zealand on course for a strong total before they were pegged back as left-arm spinner Shelley Nitschke also picked up two wickets.

In reply, Australia struggled to build partnerships but as only Lisa Sthalekar, who registered a golden duck, failed to reach double figures, they kept themselves in the hunt throughout.

Browne returned two for 21 and Sian Ruck two for 26 but crucial innings of 20 from Jess Cameron, 28 not out from Alyssa Healy and finally Coyte's 14 in 17 balls, helped them over the line as the game went down to the wire.

Coyte was later named as the player of the match.

The series now takes a break, as Australia host England, until February, when the third match will take place in Invercargill on 18th February.

Cricket World 2010