AUSTRALIA’S perfect start at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup has continued, defeating its cross-Tasman rivals New Zealand by 60 runs in the early hours of Wednesday morning AEDT.

Following a win over Sri Lanka in the opener on Saturday night, the Aussies faced off against New Zealand, which was favourable for the former given they have had the wood over the Kiwis in the past.

History proved to repeat itself with Australia proving restrictive with ball in hand, holding the opposition to just 88 runs to head into Friday’s clash with Pakistan with plenty of momentum.

Australia 8/148 (20.0) def. New Zealand 88 (19.2)

Aussie skipper Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to bat, sending herself and Beth Mooney out to the crease in the first innings. The opening partnership was strong for Australia, although it was not without nerves as Healy survived a pair of early reviews. However, the pair got going in the first five overs and the Aussies were 0/41 after 31 balls and in a strong position.

Despite the ideal start, the wickets began to fell, with both openers caught as New Zealand began to snatch back some momentum. Ellyse Perry chipped in for a fast knock of 30 off 24 balls, but was bowled by an Amelia Kerr googly.

All of a sudden, Australia was losing wickets at a rapid pace, and with the overs running out, the Aussies began to aggressively look for runs. The middle order fell quickly and the total was set at 148, which was lower than it previously was expected to be.

With New Zealand still in with a sniff, it was crucial for Australia’s bowling attack to take an early wicket, and it was Megan Schutt who struck on a record-breaking day for her. She recorded the first of her two wickets for the match in the third over, and with that, became the all-time leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20 World Cup history with her 44th scalp.

Although it was a lifting moment for the Aussies, Kerr was looking dangerous with bat in hand, before it was Schutt who broke through again with a crucial moment in the game. New Zealand’s last nine wickets fell for just 34 runs, and in fitting fashion, it was Schutt who claimed the final scalp to end the game.

She was undoubtedly the star for Australia, taking home figures of 3/3 from 20 balls in a masterful bowling display, and remains one of the key figures in the Aussies’ quest for the World Cup. With the bat, it was Mooney who was the top scorer with 40 runs off 53 deliveries in a patient display.

Kerr was a one-woman army for New Zealand, starring in both innings and essentially keeping her side in the match for a large portion of the contest. She took figures of 4/26 with ball in hand and at the crease had a team-high 29 runs off 36 balls in a terrific solo performance.

Australia’s campaign continues on Friday with a clash against Pakistan that could see the Aussies advance straight through to the next stage.