Aussies survive almighty scare as late collapse sparks T20 thriller

Australia overcame a mighty scare to defeat New Zealand by two wickets with seven balls to spare in the opening T20 of their three-game series at North Sydney Oval.

Georgia Plimmer and Maddy Green’s unbroken 127-run partnership lifted New Zealand to 2/162 from their 20 overs, but Australia’s batting depth ensured that they scraped home.

Ellyse Perry led the way for the hosts as she smacked nine boundaries to register her 12th half-century in T20 internationals, finishing with 52 off 30 balls.

Australia appeared in complete control when Perry and Beth Mooney were together at the crease, but Mooney was run out to end their 86-run stand and open the door for the visitors.

Perry fell shortly after and her departure triggered a wobble of 5/43 with Georgia Wareham, Ash Gardner, Annabel Sutherland and Nicola Carey all falling.

Captain Sophie Molineux looked like she might finish the job alongside Tahlia McGrath before she was bowled attempting to ramp a full toss with only four runs to win.

The responsibility of hitting the winning runs was left to No.10 Kim Garth, who flayed Bree Illing behind point for a boundary to get off the mark on the ninth ball she faced.

Earlier with the ball, Garth knocked over New Zealand opener Flora Devonshire, while Sutherland dismissed Melie Kerr before the visitors rallied through Plimmer and Green.