Picturesque as ever at the Basin Reserve this morning for an absolutely huge Australia vs New Zealand #CWC22 World Cup game. Great start from NZ too with big hitter Healy gone for 15. Let’s go! 
Lots of encouragement for Satterthwaite making a sharp stop at gully. Lea Tahuhu was *not happy* with Satterthwaite for allowing a boundary off her bowling earlier. Tahuhu is bowling beautifully here though, brilliant spell. Australia in a spot of bother, 3 down after 18 overs.
And a Jess Kerr midfield allows a boundary off her sister Melie’s bowling. Australia have done really well to rebuild here. NZ need a wicket now otherwise we could be looking at a tricky chase. Wicket looks pretty good though.
And right on time Maddy Green takes a screamer diving to her left on the long off boundary! Another well deserved wicket for Tahuhu. Top innings from Perry. Big wicket for NZ. Another one here would be huge.
Just like that there is another! Huge wicket here, McGrath chips it straight into the mitts of Suzie Bates at mid off. Well bowled Hannah Rowe. NZ putting the brakes on Australia’s innings just in time.
Wheels falling off for Australia now. Tahuhu nabs three for with King lobbing another easy catch to Bates. And now coming out to bat in Wellington is, Wellington.
Australia will be grateful to have Gardner back in the team. She is playing an absolutely crucial innings here with some stylish hitting at the death.
Frankie Mackay puts down a sharp chance, but flicks the ball onto the stumps and runs the batter out anyway. Quick thinking. And a dot ball!
Well played Ash Garder, hitting 48 off 18 and taking Australia to a solid 268. Hannah Rowe did the classic *don’t look at your captain* there, dropping a high one next to Sophie Devine and then watching Gardner smash the next ball for 6.
Terrible start for NZ, six overs down and we’ve lost key batters Sophie Devine, bowled after a sumptuous straight drive for four and Melie Kerr, caught brilliantly at slip. Big task for Bates and Satterthwaite to steady the ship.
Make that Green and Satterthwaite to steady the ship.
Would be a truly heroic effort for NZ to win now. Green and Mackay back in the hutch without really troubling the scorers. Scene is set for Satterthwaite and Martin.
So 200 required off 188 now for NZ. A long way to go!
Hat trick ball coming up here for Wellington (the bowler not the city) after Martin was out LBW and Jensen caught for a golden on the last two balls of the previous over. Dire times for NZ who must be focused on net run rate now and just using the overs available.
Satterthwaite and Tahuhu out in the middle now. What a story this would be. Run rate required still under 7.
Not to be. Satterthwaite holes out coming down the wicket trying to hit one over the top. NZ comprehensively outplayed today. Well done Australia.
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