Sutherland ton powers Aussies to WODI win over Kiwis

A century from Annabel Sutherland has led Australia to a weather-affected ODI win in New Zealand. (Marty Melville/AAP PHOTOS)

Annabel Sutherland's second consecutive century has powered Australia to a rain-affected 65-run victory over New Zealand in the second One Day International.

After Alyssa Healy lost the toss on return from her knee injury, Kiwi quick Molly Penfold (4-42) restricted the star-studded Australian top order with career-best ODI figures in Wellington on Saturday.

But Sutherland (105 not out from 81 deliveries), who belted 110 in her last hit-out, was on hand to help Australia (7-291) recover and has now recorded as many international centuries as superstar allrounder Ellyse Perry (five).

"I'm part of a pretty good side and I've got a lot of pretty good players around me to learn from, I'd probably put it down to that," Sutherland said of her success to date.

Annabel Sutherland.
Annabel Sutherland blasts a delivery to the on-side boundary in Wellington.

The White Ferns were unable to forge an enduring partnership in reply and struggled to keep pace with the DLS par as wet weather hovered on the radar around Basin Reserve.

The covers came on in the 31st over just before 5pm local time, and Australia's 14th consecutive ODI defeat of New Zealand was confirmed when play was called a little less than an hour later.

Quick Kim Garth (2-17) proved pick of the bowlers for Australia snaring both openers, while Darcie Brown (0-15) was economical in her first four overs returning from a hip injury. New Zealand finished at 5-122.

The win means Australia have retained the Rose Bowl with one game remaining, at the same venue on Monday, after rain washed out the series opener on Thursday.

Molly Penfold.
Molly Penfold took 4-42, including the key wickets of Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Beth Mooney.

Earlier, allrounder Sutherland reached her half-century with a single to long on from Rosemary Mair to finish the 42nd over.

Penfold almost capped a brilliant afternoon with the ball by sending Sutherland packing but put down a caught-and-bowled chance in her final over when the Australian No.5 was on 67.

Sutherland clubbed red-hot Penfold down the leg side for two fours in the quick's final over, both dropping just short of fielders en route to the boundary, and continued to make the Kiwis pay with two sixes straight down the ground from the next Eden Carson over before belting Amelia Kerr for two consecutive fours in the one that followed.

She survived a run-out chance in the penultimate over to bring up her century with two runs from Mair off the next ball.

Penfold's drop wasn't the only missed chance for the hosts. The Kiwis could have clamped down harder on the visiting batting order had debutant Bella James not dropped three catches.

James put Phoebe Litchfield (25), Beth Mooney (14) and Tahlia McGrath (34) down, though none could truly make her pay by going on to post big scores.

"There were glimpses there where we were able to take some wickets, which is really important against this side," said NZ captain Sophie Devine.

"But not to be able to put the foot down fully probably killed us a little bit there in the end."

Opening batter Healy (34 from 32 deliveries) looked primed to kick on after making her return from the knee injury that sidelined her for more than a month.

Alyssa Healy.
Australia captain Alyssa Healy was dismissed for 34 on her return from injury.

But just as the Aussie was humming she miscalculated the short ball to become Penfold's first victim, pulling to Kerr at mid-wicket.

Perry (29) also made a start but couldn't resist having a go at Penfold's bouncer, edging to wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze.

James took a confidence-boosting catch to dismiss Mooney from Penfold's bowling, before the quick swung an absolute jaffa into McGrath's leg stump.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store