Young star Phoebe Litchfield has blasted her highest Twenty20 score to steer Australia to a five-wicket series-opening win against New Zealand in Mackay.
The left-hander crafted an unbeaten 64 from 43 balls, saving Australia from trouble when she arrived at the crease with the score at 44-3.
But Litchfield batted flawlessly for the second T20 fifty of her career to help inflict a record-equalling eighth-straight T20 defeat on New Zealand.
The 21-year-old showcased her 360-degree game, bamboozling the tourists’ bowlers and fielding placements.
“Just [added] a few more shots to the repertoire, trying to get more shots to pierce that fifth fielder,” Litchfield told the Seven Network.
“I kind of look like an idiot sometimes swapping my feet around, but I’ve practised a bit, so it’s nice for it to come off in the game.”
Australia went past the White Ferns’ 143-7 with eight balls to spare to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
But it wasn’t a perfect night for Australia, who lost star allrounder Ash Gardner to a bizarre injury in the warm-up.
The reigning Belinda Clark award winner was ruled out of Thursday night’s match after colliding with teammate Georgia Wareham during throwing practice. Gardner was placed in concussion protocols given she has a history of head knocks.
Fellow allrounder Heather Graham received the late call-up to replace Gardner, with Australia coach Shelley Nitschke calling the incident “hectic”.
“We walked out and there’s something happening in warm-up and then Ash was on the ground, and unfortunately she was ruled out of the game,” Nitschke said.
“She’s had a test and she passed, but you’ve got to stay in those protocols for a certain amount of time.”
New Zealand also suffered a blow of their own with captain Sophie Devine not available due to an ankle injury and Suzie Bates named skipper in her absence.
The White Ferns struggled to get going after electing to bat first as No 5 Maddy Green top-scored with 35.
All six of Australia’s bowlers – Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Heather Graham, Megan Schutt and Tayla Vlaeminck – were in the wickets.
Meanwhile, powerful Australian batter Grace Harris has been ruled out of the series after straining her right calf at training this week.
Australia expect her to be fit and available for next month’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.
The teams will remain in Mackay for the second match of the series on Sunday, before heading south for the decider in Brisbane at Allan Border Field on Tuesday.