Perry, Healy, Molineux help Australia whitewash series

Ellyse Perry's 4-wicket haul, Sophie Molineux's career-best 3/11 and Alyssa Healy's stormy 67 helped Australia to clinch the three-match T20I series against New Zealand at the Manuka Oval, Canberra.

Having elected to field first, Delissa Kimmince provided Australia with their first breakthrough, sending Devine back for 11. Experienced Suzie Bates got an early life but failed to score big. She followed Devine, after giving an easy catch to Healy for 11.

After having lost both their experienced batters within the powerplay, It fell upon the middle order to resurrect the innings. Katey Martin tried her best to build a partnership but no other batter could stay a little longer at the crease. Perry picked up Satterthwaite in the 12th over after adding 28 runs with Martin; whereas Haynes' brilliant one-handed catch at extra cover sent Jess Watkin on the very next delivery of Perry.

New Zealand batters started struggling as they got reduced from 38/2 to 73/5 within 6 overs. Molineux picked up Bezuidenhout and Ebrahim in the 13th over; while Perry ended up her formidable spell with the figure of 4-0-21-4. An exceptional bowling performance by Southern Stars restricted the White Ferns to 103/10.

Katey Martin scored 35 off 34 with 3 fours and remained unbeaten.

Chasing a not-so-big target, Australia started off really well. Openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney put up 98 runs for the first wicket. Healy smashed another T20I half-century in just 44 balls. Her 44-ball 67 featured 12 fours and a six before getting dismissed by a deep mid-wicket catch to Tahuhu from Devine's delivery while 6 runs were needed to win the match. Gardner hit the winning stroke and Australia clinched the series 3-0 convincingly.

Ellyse Perry was awarded 'The Player of The Match' for her wonderful spell whereas Alyssa Healy was awarded 'The Player of The Series' for her 138 runs in 3 matches.