Australia v New Zealand women's match attracts record TV audience
The first of three Twenty20 Internationals between the neighbours was the first international cricket match broadcast by Channel Seven since they won the telecast rights in April, and it was a hit with the Australian public.
Rachael Haynes was chosen as Player of the Match for her superb, unbeaten half-century, which rescued Australia from 45/4.#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/dew4BZETjC
— ICC (@ICC) September 29, 2018
A peak audience of 1.298 million tuned in to watch the game – a record for women's cricket in Australia – while it enjoyed an average of 888,000 viewers, according to numbers released by the broadcasters. Across the course of the match, the feed was viewed by a total of 2.905 million viewers, including 2.074 million from the metro areas.
The match itself was an exciting affair as Australia chased down a healthy target of 163 with six wickets and 14 balls to spare. Three half-centuries were recorded in the match: New Zealand's Katey Martin hit 56*, while Australia's Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes scored 56* and 69* respectively.
New Zealand strike early but Australia fight back!
— ICC (@ICC) September 29, 2018
Two wickets apiece from Leigh Kasperek and Sophie Devine had reduced the @SouthernStars to 45/4, but Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes have added 36 to help them recover.#AUSvNZ LIVE ⬇️ https://t.co/zN4sN7evmX pic.twitter.com/TXaCPslxsa
After New Zealand had posted 162/5, Australia were in a spot of bother at 45/4 with Leigh Kasperek and Sophie Devine taking two early wickets apiece, but Lanning and Haynes joined hands for an unbeaten 119-run stand to win the game comfortably.
The next T20I will be played in Brisbane on 1 October, while the final game is scheduled for 5 October in Canberra.
