The New Zealand women's cricketers stunned defending champions Australia with a crushing six-wicket in Nagpur win to remain the only unbeaten team in Group A at the World T20.
The White Ferns celebrate a wicket against Australia in the World T20 in India. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The match was dominated by spin, with the White Ferns Leigh Kasperek and Morna Nielsen bowling eight overs between them up front after Australia had won the toss and elected to bat on the same pitch on which the New Zealand men's side defeated India.
The spin twins quickly put Australia under enormous pressure, reducing the world number ones to 4 for 4 as player of the match Kasperek struck twice in her first over and then collected a third wicket in Erin Osborne.
The dangerous Australian captain Meg Lanning was run out without scoring.
The experienced Nielsen exerted her influence at the other end to finish her four overs having conceded just four runs, before legspinner Erin Bermingham took over in an innings that saw all but five of the 20 overs bowled by a four-prong spin attack.
White Ferns newcomer Leigh Kasperek. Photo: Photosport
Sophie Devine's injection of pace proved successful, however, as she picked up her 50th T20 International wicket, trapping a fighting Ellyse Perry on 42 to achieve the 50 wickets/1000 runs double.
The wicket halted a 50-run stand and significant recovery from Perry and Jess Jonassen.
Devine then took a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Megan Schutt off spinner Amy Satterthwaite as the New Zealanders restricted Australia to their lowest ever T20 International total of 103/8.
White Ferns openers Suzie Bates and Rachel Priest ensured the New Zealand chase got off to no such dramas with a 58-run opening stand.
From there, the New Zealanders were never under scoreboard pressure as they reached the victory target with almost four overs to spare.
The unbeaten White Ferns now head to Bengaluru for their final Group match against South Africa at 3am Sunday morning (NZ time).
