New Zealand women clinch series against Australi

WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s women defeated Australia in second of the three T20Is to clinch the series with a game to spare here at Basin Reserve on Tuesday.Captain Suzie Bates rattled up 54 in 53 balls, racing to 50 with opening partner Rachel Priest in 8.1 overs, then putting on 47 with Amy Satterthwaite for the third wicket. That put new Zealand in a strong position, which saw them claim a four-wicket win.’Having squandered a 1-0 lead to lose the ODI series 2-1, New Zealand capitalised after taking the advantage at the Basin Reserve on Sunday and pressed it home at the same venue today.Having sent Australia in, New Zealand restricted them to 116 for six in their 20 overs, then getting the win, courtesy of a leg bye with four balls remaining.Allrounder Ellyse Perry was Australia’s most significant contributor with the bat, making an unbeaten 55 off just 47 balls, with a couple of sixes, while Alyssa Healy made 23.As she was on Sunday, Leigh Kasperek was a key weapon for New Zealand.She followed her four for seven in the opener with three for 26 off her four overs.Morna Neilsen made the early breakthroughs, removing both openers, including Australia’s captain Meg Lanning, in her first 11 balls.The third Twenty20 International will be played at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park on Friday.’