Australia reach semis with close win over New Zealand

Australia's Beth Mooney in action - Reuters 

MELBOURNE (Reuters): Opener Beth Mooney’s brisk half-century helped hosts Australia beat New Zealand by four runs yesterday to seal the last semi-final spot in the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup and keep their title defence intact.

India, South Africa and England had already advanced to the knockout stage with yesterday’s last Group A clash between the trans-Tasman rivals deciding the final contender for the trophy.

Both Australia, who have won four out of the previous five editions of the tournament, and New Zealand had lost their group outing against India and Monday’s match at the Junction Oval was a virtual quarter-final.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine surprisingly asked Australia to bat first and the hosts showed positive intent from the onset to stamp their authority on the clash, posting 155-5 from their 20 overs.

Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham then took the key wickets of Devine, who made 31, Suzie Bates and the dangerous Maddy Green in her 3-17 to derail New Zealand’s chase and help Australia restrict them to 151-7.

Megan Schutt also picked up 3-28 with her medium pace as the total proved too steep for New Zealand to chase down, despite a valiant unbeaten 37 off 18 from Katey Martin.

Mooney, playing her 50th T20 international, anchored Australia’s innings with a knock of 60 from 50 balls and got able support from the middle-order. She hit six fours and two sixes in her knock.