The T20Is proved to be a little less bash and crash and more of an arm wrestle this last week, and even though the Aussies lost the third game, it was a solid series win.
I’m always nervous when we start a game or series, especially when it’s been so long between drinks, and hearing that we’d be playing it without Ellyse Perry made me that much more nervous.
The extended off-season made both teams a bit rusty and wobbly, and the umpires were similarly a little off their game.
No-one can deny that Nicola Carey hit the cover off that ball that went through to the ‘keeper, and Sophie Devine could be a little disappointed in being deemed out stumped in the first game (although there was a case for her being caught behind anyway), but to be honest, neither team really took that first game by the throat.
Satterthwaite was on the end of the tough 50/50 call in the next match (for the record, I think the right decision was made in this instance).
And then NZ made us pay for not building partnerships in the final game, and now take the momentum into the ODIs.
I think the pitch played a big part in the low scores, with a number of players commenting that it was a bit ‘sticky’ and slow, so it was interesting to watch both teams having to grind out runs a bit more than usual.
Overall, I think the Aussies have quite a well-rounded team, and although we’re missing Ellyse Perry for the foreseeable future, for anyone waiting in the wings, it’s going to be extremely hard to get an in.
The Kiwis have some exciting young talent coming through, mixed with some old-guard experience, though I do think they rely a bit on one of three players (Devine, Satterthwaite and Bates) to launch them.
The Aussies not having Ellyse Perry, the number one women’s ODI player in the world, playing in the Rose Bowl series may be enough of a chink in the Aussie’s armour to give the Kiwis a sniff at winning it back.
I also read this morning that if the Aussies go through undefeated, they’ll equal the ODI winning streak of Ponting’s team of 21 wins on the trot.
Which reminds me - how good is Alyssa Healy breaking MS Dohni’s record for most wicketkeeping dismissal’s in T20Is?
Healy just keeps getting better and better.
Talking about getting better - how good was the banter between the commentary team and the players on the mic during the series?
Healy’s always great for a laugh, Devine gives as good as she gets and Mel Jones and Elyse Villani provided some great analysis and insight.
It goes to show the importance of bringing women through the commentary ranks. The types of banter and camaraderie between the ex-players in the coms box and the current players on the field really make the difference in women’s cricket, in my opinion.
Mel Jones, in particular, knows so much about the current team and the history of the women’s game, watching it just wouldn’t be the same without her on the mic.
Next up, the ODIs and hopefully, (all my bits crossed!) a record-equalling series win for the Aussies.
Pretty stoked that the aussies won. Was a really competitive T20 series. Couldn't help but be super impressed of Satterthwaite coming back from having a baby and playing international cricket! Bring on the ODI's