Megan Schutt got three wickets for three runs off 20 deliveries to help Australia defeat New Zealand by 60 runs in their Group A match at the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Schutt’s performance was the most economical three-wicket session in tournament history, outperforming England’s Danielle Hazell’s 3-4 against Bangladesh in 2014.
This came after Australia posted the tournament’s second-highest total, 148-8 in 20 overs, due to Beth Mooney’s 40 from 32 balls.
In reply, New Zealand were bowled out for 88 runs in 19.2 overs, with medium pacers Schutt and Annabel Sutherland sharing six wickets.
Sutherland took 3-21 in four overs to help Australia climb to the top of Group A after two wins in a row.After winning the toss, Australia decided to bat, and Mooney added 41 runs to Alyssa Healy’s 26. Mooney added 45 off 48 balls, while Ellyse Perry scored 30 off 24 balls, including three fours and a six.
Perry’s innings gave Australia impetus, despite Mooney being caught by all-rounder Amelia Kerr.
Kerr finished with 4-26 in four overs, including a number of late wickets, but couldn’t stop Australia from scoring a tough score.
