Aussies hang on to defeat brave Kiwis

Jess Jonassen’s brilliant fightback with the ball has seen Australia claim a thrilling five-run victory in the opening match of the Commonwealth Bank ODI series against New Zealand at the WACA.

Needing 242 for victory, the White Ferns were cruising at 4-188 before Australia – led by left-arm spinner Jonassen’s four wickets – fought back superbly to restrict their trans-Tasman rivals to 9-236.

Amy Satterthwaite seemed destined to lead her team to victory but her captain’s knock of 92 wasn’t enough for New Zealand, as the White Ferns skipper fell to Jonassen in the penultimate over.

Jonassen took 4-43 and scored 36 in what was her one-day return after missing last October’s ODIs against Pakistan due to injury, ensuring Australia head into Sunday’s second ODI with a 1-0 series lead.

A fighting half-century from Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes had helped Australia to 241 at WACA Ground, but she had little assistance from her fellow top-order batters; Sophie Devine led the way with 3-32 as the White Ferns struck regular blows to bowl the hosts out with two balls remaining.

Bowling first on a WACA wicket with a distinct greenish tinge, White Ferns spearhead Lea Tahuhu struck a huge early blow, producing a superb delivery to knock over the in-form Alyssa Healy for four.

Meg Lanning (6 off 16) became the first ODI wicket for Rosemary Mair (2-35) on debut, as the 20-year-old quick collected the key scalp of the Australian captain – who averages almost 70 against the Kiwis – courtesy of Satterthwaite’s brilliant one-handed catch at slip.

Ellyse Perry made a circumspect start but after several play-and-misses frustration got the better of the allrounder, who was caught behind chasing a wide delivery from Devine.

It continued an uncharacteristically lean run in ODI cricket for the world’s second-ranked one-day batter, marking her fifth innings without a half-century – her longest stretch without an ODI fifty since mid-2013.

Beth Mooney (13 off 29) was deceived by teenage leg-spinner Amelia Kerr, while Elyse Villani (18 off 25) found the boundary twice in her first ODI appearance since the 2017 Ashes, only to become Kerr’s second victim.

Where her teammates floundered early, Haynes showed exactly how to handle the tricky conditions after being elevated to open alongside Healy in the absence of regular opener Nicole Bolton.

The 32-year-old displayed plenty of patience against Tahuhu, Mair and Devine as she crafted her 10th ODI half-century from 61 deliveries, finding the boundary seven times on her way to the milestone.

Such had been her composure it came as something of a surprise when she holed out for 67 (80) in the 29th over, mistiming a delivery from Mair to be caught at mid-on.

Ashleigh Gardner (34 from 36) and Jonassen (36 from 32) provided a much-needed late injection of runs, but it wasn’t enough to stop Australia being bowled out after 49.4 overs for their lowest ODI total against New Zealand since 2011.

Australia couldn’t have asked for a better start with the ball when Perry had the dangerous Devine (4) slashing at a wide delivery that was sharply caught by Jonassen at point, before Schutt trapped opening partner Bates lbw for 8 (13).

A brilliant set-up from Perry brought the wicket of Lauren Down (15 off 27), the allrounder bowling two outswingers before moving one back in to bowl the White Ferns first drop.

When leg-spinner Georgia Wareham bowled Katey Martin around her legs for 20 (31) Australia suddenly had the upper hand with their rivals 4-89, but frustration followed as Satterthwaite and Perkins built a 99-run stand.

The New Zealand skipper was handed a life on eight when Healy put down a tough diving chance and went on to bring up her half-century from 68 deliveries, ably supported by Perkins.

Digging in, the Australian bowlers managed to keep the pressure on the White Ferns pair and it paid off with the wicket of Perkins on 48 (68), but in a massive moment with the equation 37 from 28, Satterthwaite was handed a second life on 85 when Healy missed a simple stumping chance.

Two wickets in two balls from Jonassen kept the pressure firmly on Satterthwaite, and it finally paid off when the New Zealand skipper holed out on 92 (123) in the 49th over, with her tailenders unable to get the team over the line. 

Jonassen’s four wickets were backed up by Perry’s 2-39, while Gardner (0-37) went unrewarded for her 10 economical overs.

Australia were without Nicola Carey, with the pace-bowling allrounder ruled out due to a back complaint. Carey flew to Adelaide on Friday morning in the hopes of recovering in time for Sunday’s second ODI at Karen Rolton Oval.

Australia XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Elyse Villani, Ashleigh Gardner, Jess Jonassen, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Lauren Cheatle.

New Zealand XI: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Lauren Brown, Amy Satterthwaite (c), Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair.

CommBank ODIs v NZ 

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicola Carey, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Georgia Wareham

New Zealand squad: Amy Satterthwaite (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Maddy Green, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Katey Martin, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu

February 22: First ODI, WACA Ground, Perth

February 24: Second ODI, Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide

March 3: Third ODI, Junction Oval, Melbourne