New Zealand, Australia Women aim to rewrite record books in series decider

New Zealand, Australia Women aim to rewrite record books in series decider

After piping Australia 2-1 in the T20I leg of the Trans-Tasman series, New Zealand Women will hope to repeat the feat when they take on the visitors in the three-match ODI series decider at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday (March 5).

The ODI series has provided as much action and drama as the T20Is that preceded it, in Australia. The spotlight was on New Zealand's Amy Satterthwaite and Australia's veteran duo of allrounder Ellyse Perry and vice-captain Alex Blackwell, for very contrasting reasons. Meanwhile, Amanda Wellington (Australia), Holly Huddleston and Amelia Kerr (both New Zealand) grabbed the opportunity and left a lasting impression with their bowling.

Satterthwaite held up her end of the bargain and notched up her fourth consecutive century, albeit across two different series, equalling Kumar Sangakkara's monumental record. She, in fact, looked well set to become the first-ever cricketer to register five in a row, but fell 15 short of the unprecedented feat. It was her record-setting ton in Auckland that overshadowed Beth Mooney's fine hundred as New Zealand overhauled the 276-run challenge with consummate ease for an early lead in the series. Blackwell's return to the game gave Australia some much-needed respite as the vice-captain rallied with the middle and lower order to anchor Australia's 254-run chase in their bid to keep the series alive.

Perry's return to the international fold, however, hasn't been short of drama. The star allrounder spent six weeks out of action since the latter half of her Women's Big Bash League stint, due to a hamstring injury. Australia felt the pinch severely in the T20Is they conceded 1-2 at home, given the red hot form Perry was in before the forced break. She returned in the second of three-ODI series, only to give Australia yet another injury scare when she landed awkwardly while fielding and bruised her elbow. Perry went off the park for medical assistance and did not come out to field again.

Though she was prepared to bat if the need arose, she didn't venture out in the chase either with Australia managing a four-wicket win to level the series. Perry then underwent scans and a final call on her participation in the series finale was to be taken post Saturday's training, where she looked her usual self, both while batting and bowling. Australia would be relieved that in all likelihood, she will feature in the crucial contest on Sunday, as Alyssa Healy nearly confirmed.

"There's obviously some injury concern with Ellyse but from what I've heard, it's just a bruised elbow," the Australian wicketkeeper said ahead their training. "She's not the type of person who likes to side on the sidelines and not be a part of everything, so that's got to be a bit frustrating for her," she added.

The home side has given both Sam Kurtis and Liz Perry a chance in the middle-order and neither has managed to create an impact. Young allrounder Thamsyn Newton could be in line for a comeback, having last played against Pakistan in November 2016.

While it could be too early to talk of World Cup team compositions for either of the two sides - given the three-month layoff and with several key players nursing injuries - but this series has definitely given the players ample scope to showcase their potential and stake a claim for that ticket to England.

What spices up the contest more is the fact that both teams have looked invincible on their day. It has been a series between two evenly-matched sides, with both teams chasing down 250-plus totals rather comfortably and without overshadowing the efforts of the bowling units.

Australia boast of a nearly four-year unbeaten streak in ODI series, having not lost since the 2-1 drubbing in England in 2013. And New Zealand, on the other hand, are still awaiting their first series win against their Trans-Tasman rivals since their triumph in 1999. Come Sunday, the winner is set to rewrite record books.

Squads:

New Zealand: Suzie Bates(c), Rachel Priest(w), Amy Satterthwaite, Katey Martin, Liz Perry, Katie Perkins, Anna Peterson, Erin Bermingham, Lea Tahuhu, Amelia Kerr, Holly Huddleston, Sam Curtis, Thamsyn Newton, Hannah Rowe

Australia: Nicole Bolton, Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning(c), Elyse Villani, Alex Blackwell, Alyssa Healy(w), Jess Jonassen, Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Amanda Wellington, Rene Farrell, Kristen Beams, Lauren Cheatle, Megan Schutt, Rachael Haynes