September 25, 2024

Wareham and Gardner Shine with Bat and Ball as Australia Clinches 3-0 Series Sweep

Georgia Wareham was named Player of the Match. At the same time, Ashleigh Gardner earned the Player of the Series title for their standout performances in the third T20I in Brisbane. Australia chased down New Zealand’s score of 146, finishing at 148 for 5. Key contributions came from Elyse Perry, who scored 36 runs, and Gardner, who added 33 runs. New Zealand’s innings featured a solid 53 from Georgia Plimmer and 40 from Jess Kerr. Still, Wareham’s impressive bowling figures of 2 for 21 helped limit the visitors effectively.

Wareham’s leg spin was crucial in restricting New Zealand after Plimmer’s half-century had given them a promising start. Alongside Annabel Sutherland, who took 2 for 23, they ensured that New Zealand could not post a more imposing total. Their combined efforts showcased Australia’s bowling strength and strategic approach to the game.

Australia completed a 3-0 series sweep with this six-wicket victory, extending New Zealand’s woes to ten consecutive losses in T20I matches. This match highlighted the skillful all-round displays from Wareham and Gardner and solidified Australia’s dominance in the series.

Georgia Wareham was promoted to No. 3 in the batting order. This move could be used in the upcoming T20 World Cup. She played an impactful innings, scoring 26 runs off 16 balls, which helped alleviate any run-rate pressure during the chase. Following her, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner built a solid 61-run partnership that put Australia close to victory, with Perry scoring 36 runs and Gardner contributing 33. However, both players made late mistakes that led to their dismissals, the only setbacks in an otherwise controlled partnership. Tahlia McGrath and Phoebe Litchfield stepped in to finish the job, though they did benefit from a dropped catch by Fran Jonas off Litchfield.

Like Wareham, named Player of the Match, Gardner also delivered an impressive bowling performance, taking 1 for 27 after her outstanding figures of 3 for 16 in the second T20I. Her contributions and Wareham’s played a crucial role in slowing down New Zealand’s scoring. New Zealand had reached 118 for 1 in the 17th over, with Georgia Plimmer scoring 50 runs off 47 balls and Amelia Kerr adding 40 runs off 36 in a 73-run partnership for the second wicket. However, their dismissals sparked a dramatic collapse.

After Plimmer and Kerr were out, New Zealand lost five wickets for just 28 runs in the last 22 balls. Annabel Sutherland took two wickets in a single over. Maddy Green, celebrating her 100th T20I match, scored 12 not out of five balls, ensuring New Zealand posted a total of over 140. Despite this, their final score was never enough to challenge Australia effectively.

Plimmer Fulfills Her Potential

The pressure was building on Georgia Plimmer ahead of the World Cup, as her previous 23 T20I innings had produced a highest score of just 28. However, she finally broke through with a hard-earned half-century in this match. Her innings weren’t smooth; she took six balls to get off the mark and struggled to find her rhythm, scoring at less than a run a ball during her first 27 deliveries. Plimmer was also dropped twice as she offered sharp return catches to Sophie Molineux and Tayla Vlaeminck.

Plimmer found her groove in the 11th over with two impressive boundaries off Annabel Sutherland—one soaring over midwicket and another long-on. As her innings progressed, she became more balanced at the crease, resulting in cleaner striking. She partnered with Suzie Bates to score 45 runs in the powerplay, which was New Zealand’s best of the series before Bates was bowled by Wareham on the first ball of the seventh over. Plummer built a solid 73-run partnership with Amelia Kerr for the second wicket, setting a strong foundation for a late-innings surge.

Relief was evident when Plimmer reached her first international half-century off 47 balls. At this point, New Zealand was at 118 for 1 with 22 balls remaining. Kerr was batting well at 35 runs off 33 balls. Although the scoring rate was just over seven runs per over, they had enough wickets in hand to aim for a total of 160 with some aggressive hitting in the final overs.

Late Overs Collapse Undermines Performance

New Zealand’s hopes of reaching 160 vanished quickly as they lost five wickets for just 28 runs in the final 22 balls of their innings. Georgia Plimmer was dismissed on the next ball after reaching her half-century. Georgia Wareham claimed her second wicket in an impressive bowling performance. Ashleigh Gardner took care of Amelia Kerr the following over, bowling her out as she attempted a cut shot.

From there, New Zealand’s batting order collapsed. Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday both fell in the penultimate over to Annabel Sutherland, who was rewarded for her effective death bowling, especially after earlier being hit for runs by Plimmer. At one point, it looked like New Zealand might struggle to even reach 140. However, Maddy Green showed her potential by scoring 12 runs off just five balls, including a six and a four off Sophie Molineux in the final over. This allowed New Zealand to finish with a total of 146 for 6.

Wareham at No. 3 Provides New Possibilities

Alyssa Healy stated before the series that Australia wouldn’t do any experiments before the World Cup. So, it was surprising to see Georgia Wareham walk in at No. 3 after Beth Mooney’s struggle continued, as she was clean bowled by a brilliant arm ball from Eden Carson for just 6 runs. Wareham had previously batted at this position during Australia’s recent series in Bangladesh, where she scored 57 off 30 balls. This time, it was another wise decision, making her a strong contender for the World Cup. Wareham struck the ball powerfully, looking comfortable against pace and spin, and she scored much higher than everyone else except those who faced only a few balls.

While Healy struggled with her timing, scoring a challenging 27 runs off 29 balls, Wareham stood firm and smashed four boundaries in just 16 balls. She raced to 26 runs, alleviating any run-rate pressure in the chase. Unfortunately, she missed a golden opportunity for another half-century when she mis-hit a low full toss from Hannah Rowe to deep midwicket. Wareham’s aggressive innings allowed Elyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner to settle into a rhythm, and the pair put together a composed 61-run partnership to guide Australia to victory.

Perry shook off the rust from her earlier performances, finishing with a classy 36 runs off 29 balls, including five boundaries. She was frustrated that she could not finish the job after slicing a catch to cover off Fran Jonas. While less fluid in her innings, Gardner consistently found the boundary but was disappointed not to remain unbeaten, as she was out LBW to Carson while attempting a paddle scoop. Carson was New Zealand’s standout bowler, ending with figures of 2 for 29.