All-rounder Tahlia, Megan help Australia beat New Zealand to reach final of Commonwealth Games 2022

BIRMINGHAM: All-rounder Tahlia McGrath and Megan Shutt delivered for Australia as they beat New Zealand by five wickets to qualify for the final of the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first. They limited New Zealand to 144 runs in 20 overs before successfully chasing down the target in 19.3 overs to set up a final clash against a powerful India team.

In pursuit of 144, Beth Mooney led the chase with a 36-run knock in 29 balls, which included five boundaries. Skipper Meg Lanning was unable to deliver for her side as he was bowled out by Lea Tahuhu after scoring only seven runs.

Tahlia was sensational with the bat too, as he smashed 34 runs in 23 balls before getting run out by Amelia Kerr. Rachel Haynes and Ashleigh Gardner smashed 19-run knocks each to chase down the sloppy total.

For New Zealand, Tahuhu claimed three wickets, while Devine could manage to take a single scalp.

Earlier, skipper Sophie Devine scored a half-century to lead her side to 144 runs, but her batting line-up couldn't perform with the bat as they had to settle for the modest target.

Apart from Devine, all-rounder, Amelia was the only one who delivered with bat as he smashed a 40-run knock to help his failing batting order.

For Australia, Shutt claimed three wickets and gave away only 20 runs in four overs bowled, while Tahlia claimed two wickets.

Jess Jonassen also took a scalp to topple the New Zealand batting order.

For the gold and silver medals, Australia will play India, which overcame England by four runs in Saturday's semifinal, and New Zealand will compete against the host country for the bronze medal.

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