New Zealand level series after Mackay's all-round performance
New Zealand won the toss and asked Australia to bat first. The visitors were off to a fine start with Beth Mooney dispatching Jess Kerr for two boundaries in the second over of the match. Right before the end of the fourth over Jess Kerr had Alyssa Healy caught behind.
Meg Lanning joined Mooney in the middle, the duo stitched together a 50-run partnership to push Australia’s score past 69. However, the brilliant partnership ended with Lanning being run out.
In the company of Rachael Haynes, Mooney registered her half-century helping Australia cross the 100 run mark. Frances Mackay delivered a double blow as she first ended the 49-run stand between Haynes and Mooney, and then sent the in-form Ashleigh Gardner back to the pavilion for just 3.
Mooney finished the innings unbeaten on 61 runs helping Australia register a total of 129/4.
In the chase, New Zealand were immediately put under pressure after Ellyse Perry had Hayley Jensen caught in her very first over. Amy Satterthwaite, captain for the day after Sophie Devine was declared unwell, joined Mackay at the crease. Satterthwaite failed to make an impact after she was dismissed by Nicola Carey.
Amelia Kerr then joined Mackay at the crease at 27/2, the duo raced to a 54-run partnership in five overs. Mackay fell short of a half-century after she was removed by Darcie Brown for 46.
The wickets then came tumbling down for New Zealand, Georgia Wareham dismissed Katey Martin. Megan Schutt struck twice in the same over, dismissing Brooke Halliday and then picking up the prized wicket of Amelia Kerr.
With 29 runs required to win in three overs, Maddy Green and Hannah Rowe kept their cool. The pair batted brilliantly and managed to reduce the deficit to nine runs needed in the last over.
Maddy Green hit Nicola Carey for a boundary on the last ball of the match, winning the match for New Zealand and levelling the series 1-1.