NZ cruise to win over Aussie U19s

A blazing opening stand from Lauren Down and Saachi Shahri has steered the New Zealand Development XI to a commanding five-wicket win in the opening one-day match of the Australia Under 19 Tour of New Zealand.

Set a total of 188 at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, the New Zealand batters chased down the visitors’ score in the 32nd over despite an impressive four-wicket haul from Australia off-spinner Charli Knott. 

Down - a member New Zealand’s ODI squad – continued her impressive run of form, looking untouchable at the crease before retiring on 86 from 67 deliveries.

Fellow opener Shahri played the support role perfectly, reaching 38 off 55 alongside Down. With Jess Watkin replacing Down at the crease, Shahri released the shackles and powered to her half-century off 71 balls. 

Live stream courtesy of New Zealand Cricket.

It wasn’t until the 25th over that allrounder Charli Knott provided the much-needed breakthrough for Australia. Immediately after raising the bat, Shahri was clean bowled by Knott.

The Queenslander continued to bowl tight lines, picking up a further three scalps in quick succession to finish with impressive figures of 4-20 off her seven overs.

Knott’s excellent spell was accompanied by some promising knocks from the Australians against a controlled New Zealand bowling attack earlier in the day.

The pressure was on the Australians from the outset after Australia captain Rachal Trenaman was called to the crease in the second over after opener Tahlia Wilson was sent back for a duck.

Trenaman and Dooley dug their heels in with a hard-fought 42-run second-wicket partnership, but it was Annabel Sutherland who came to the crease at No.4 looking to make a serious impact on the scoreboard.

Sutherland – off a spate of impressive performances in the 50-over format during the Women’s National Cricket League as well as the recent Governor-General’s XI match – found the boundary seven times to make 58 off as many deliveries.

Also impressive was Maddy Darke who joined Sutherland with Australia in trouble at 3-68. Darke and Sutherland, growing in confidence at the crease, put on a 74-run stand to steady the ship.

It was New Zealand medium pacer Jacinta Savage who proved to be Australia’s undoing. Taking the ball for the first time in the 34th over, Savage captured the key wicket of Sutherland before sending Darke back for 32 off her next over.

These two quick wickets proved the start of the collapse for Australia who proceeded to lose 7-46 to be all out for 188 in the 48th over.

The next 50-over match will be on Thursday at the same venue.