New Zealand vs Australia: Beth Mooney stars as tourists win first T20

Beth Mooney hit an unbeaten 75 as Australia thrashed New Zealand by eight wickets in the opening T20 in Auckland.

Chasing 138, Mooney and opening partner Georgia Voll put on a stand of 123 to help the tourists reach their target inside the 14th over.

The pair struck a national record of 77 inside the powerplay, and their partnership was only ended when Voll, who made her first T20 international fifty from 31 deliveries, was caught on the square leg boundary off the bowling of Lea Tahuhu.

New Zealand seamer Tahuhu had Phoebe Litchfield caught for just four in her next over, but by that point an Australia victory was a formality and a Mooney single brought up the win with 39 balls to spare.

The home side had won the toss and chosen to bat, and Amelia Kerr (51 from 46) and Suzie Bates (39 off 36) put on a 90-run partnership for their third wicket.

But that was not enough to pose a problem for the world’s number one side, and Australia will now look to take an unbeatable lead in the three-match series at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

However, they may have do so without all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who had to leave the field for scans after taking a blow to her right index finger while attempting a caught and bowled.