Australia Women kicked off their tour of New Zealand with a commanding eight-wicket victory in the first T20I at Eden Park, Auckland. After restricting the hosts to a modest total, Australia’s top o𒉰rder made light work of the chase to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Amelia Kerr stars in New Zealand’s respectable total

New Zealand Women opted to bat first after winning the toss and adopted a cautious approach. anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 46 deliveries, ensuring her side had a steady foundation. However, Australia’s disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by Darcie Brown (1/22 in fꦇour overs), kept the scoring rate in check. Despite wickets in hand, the White Ferns managed only 137/2 in their allotted 20 overs.

Beth Mooney leads Australia’s chase

In response, Australia Women produced a dominant batting display, making light work of the 138-run target. was the star of the chase, smashing an unbeaten 75 off just 42 balls, decorated with 10 boundaries and a six. She found an able partner in Georgia Voll, who played a fluent knock of 50 off 31 deliveries, s💧triking n🏅ine fours in the process.

New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to contain the Australian batters, with Lea Tahuhu being the only standout performer, taking 2/31 in her three overs. However, her efforts were not enough to halt Australia’s charge, as the visitors reached the target in just 13.3 overs, sealing a commanding eight-wicket🦂 victory.

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Australia takes early lead in the series

With this comprehensive win, Australia Women have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match se🔯ries. New Zealand will need to regroup quick𓆉ly to keep the series alive when the teams meet again for the second T20I.

Here is how fans reacted:

Aussies start the tour with a big win ✅

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)

Beth Mooney trusts her skills ജso much that the role clarity ♔follows even when the role keeps changing…

A true modern day genius.

— Kalyani Mangale (@MangaleKalyani)

Australia women won by 🍸8 wickets♍ and go 1-0 up in 3 match series.

Beth Mooney 75* off 42.

— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77)

Australia def𝓰eate🤪d New Zealand by 8 wickets in the first T20I 👊

– Opening pair Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll played brilliant innings 🏏

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)

𝐀 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 🤩

Congratulations Beth Mooney on this incredible milestone🧜 🧡 ꦬ 

— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket)

Beth mooney in i🐓nternationaꦚls is different gravy 🗿

— Devendra 🇮🇳 (@Devendra786s)

🇳🇿 Women : 137/2 (20 ov) 🇦🇺 Women : 138/2 (13.3 ov)
Australia Women won by 8 wickets
Player of the match : Beth Mooney (Australia Women)
1stT20I 🏏🏆️

— Ishara (@Ishara23032)

A virtuoso performance from Beth Mooney, ably assisted by Georgia Voll has given Australia a crushing vic🌳tory in the 1st match at Eden Park.

Not the best fielding performance from the Aussies, but the bowlers still managed to restrict the Kiwis, then the batterꦬs crushed i𒁃t. 💚💛

— 🤎💛 Braedyn Smith 💚💛 (@BraedynSmith)

Beth Mooney 🐐

— Tobie (@tobie_chapman)

Australia win by 8 wickets. A top class knock from Beth Mooney as she finishes on 75 not out in her 200th International Game for Australia.
Australia lead the 3-match T20I series 1-0.

— Joseph Kiran (@Josekiran30)

Australia take a 1-nil lead in the Life Direct T20I series𓆉💫. Focus shifts to Game 2 at Bay Oval on Sunday. Scorecard | 📲

— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS)

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