In a tense and dramatic second T20I match held in Mackay, Australia managed to secure a 29-run victory over New Zealand, clinching the series win despite a spectacular collapse with the bat. Batting first after winning the toss, Australia posted a total of 142 but suffered a staggering collapse, losing 7 wickets for just 28 runs, allowing them to be bowled out in 19.5 overs. The standout performance came from New Zealand's Amelia Kerr, who took a career-best 4 wickets for just 20 runs, exploiting the Australian batting lineup's vulnerabilities.
Alyssa Healy was the only Australian batter to really find her rhythm, scoring 38 runs off just 25 balls. Ellyse Perry contributed a cautious 34 runs, but her bizarre run-out, where she mistakenly ran after a ball that had deflected off her pad, marked the turning point of the innings. Following her dismissal, Australia fell apart, with Kerr's exceptional bowling dismantling the middle and lower order with two remarkable deliveries, leading to bowlers like Ashleigh Gardner being undone along with others.
In pursuit of a modest target of 143 runs, New Zealand began their chase slowly but steadily. However, they struggled to accelerate in the face of disciplined Australian bowling. Despite Suzie Bates making a good start with 34 runs, the New Zealand innings faltered due to tight bowling from Gardner and Annabel Sutherland, who together claimed crucial wickets and helped to restrict New Zealand's scoring.
As pressure mounted, New Zealand's top order succumbed to the wicket-taking prowess of the Australian bowlers. Australia's defence was bolstered by Gardner's impressive spell, where she claimed 3 wickets for 16 runs, further tightening the screws on the batting side. In the end, despite some late resistance from Maddy Green and Izzy Gaze, New Zealand could only manage 113 runs for 7 wickets before time ran out.
While the match was not without its fraught moments—evidenced by untidy fielding from Australia—key contributions from Healy, Gardner, and Sutherland ultimately led to an unconvincing yet crucial win for Australia. This victory not only secured the series, but also showcased the team's ability to escape a precarious situation after a dismal batting display.