Kasperek's four-for sets up easy win for New Zealand

Offspinner Leigh Kasperek's outstanding bowling performance of 3-0-7-4 set up an easy win for New Zealand Women over Australia Women in the first T20 at the Basin Reserve.

Australia were at a comfortable 54 for 1 in the tenth over when Kasperek wrecked the visitors' middle order by picking up four quick wickets - two each in two consecutive overs. On the second and last ball of the tenth over, she got the huge wickets of Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning, both of whom were stumped. She followed that up by sending back Alex Blackwell and Alyssa Healy on the first and fifth ball of the 12th over; and by the end of the next over, Australia were 71 for 6. Jess Jonassen then came in and scored 17 to push the visitors towards 100, but fell with the score at 95. Australia eventually made it to 113 for 7 thanks to Erin Osborne's unbeaten 17 at No. 8.

Captain Suzie Bates gave the hosts a strong start in their chase with a quick 33. The support roles were played by Sara McGlashan and Amy Satterthwaite, both of whom scored 22. Despite Australia's timely strikes, Bates and McGlashan's brisk scoring always kept New Zealand ahead in the chase. Katey Martin sealed the win in 18.3 overs after her side had lost Bates, McGlashan and Satterthwaite by the 17th over.