Brisbane: They’re equal now – both men and women. There has always been this ever-lasting debate as to whether women are equal to men. However, the Australian women’s cricket team have put an end to the debate at least in one discipline in sport. The women’s team defeated their New Zealand counterparts by 232 runs Wednesday to record their 21st consecutive win in ODIS. In the process they equalled a world mark set by their men counterparts under Ricky Ponting in 2003.
The Aussies were without skipper Meg Lanning and star all-rounder Ellyse Perry because of injuries. However, even without the two starts, the Australian women produced their biggest ODI win over New Zealand to cap the milestone.
“It’s nice to finish off with a big win today,” said Lanning. She missed Wednesday’s game because of a hamstring injury. “It’s a really special effort, especially over a long period of time. To win 21 on the trot is a great effort and something we’re really proud of,” she added.
Ponting’s men’s team won 21 straight ODIs within five months, including the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. However, the women’s team had to remain unbeaten since October 2017 to match the mark. The winning streak started in India and included series wins over Pakistan, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
The Australians clinched this three-game ODI home series against New Zealand with a narrow win in game two. However, with the milestone in mind, they didn’t ease up at all after being sent in to bat in game three.
Australia’s total of 325-5 virtually took the game away from New Zealand. They needed the biggest successful chase in women’s ODI history to secure an unlikely victory. The Kiwis were bowled out for 93 in 27 overs.
Only Amy Satterthwaite (41) and Maddy Green (22) reached double figures. Kiwi skipper Sophie Devine was dismissed by Megan Schutt in the first over for a first-ball duck. Schutt, Jessica Jonassen, Ash Gardner and Sophie Molineaux took two wickets apiece.
Earlier when Australia batted stand-in captain Rachael Haynes (96) and Alyssa Healy (87) led the way.