PAARL, South Africa: Australia opened the defense of their Women’s T20 World Cup title with a crushing 97-run win over New Zealand at Boland Park in Paarl on Saturday, but captain Meg Lanning said she wanted her team to improve as the tournament progressed.
A half-century by Alyssa Healy and forties by Lanning and Ellyze Perry took Australia to a total of 173 for nine after they were sent in to bat.
New Zealand lost their two most experienced batters in the first over and never recovered as they were bowled out for just 76.
Off-spinner Ash Gardner took five for 12 after Megan Schutt did the early damage. “I’m really happy,” said Lanning. “We were not really sure what to expect from the conditions.
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