Aussies eyeing T20 clean sweep of Kiwis

Australia's women have a chance to complete a first T20 series sweep of New Zealand and have won the first two games without needing all their batting big guns.

Megan Schutt (left) and Ellyse Perry, Australia.

Megan Schutt (left) says Australia are determined to sweep the White Ferns in the T20 series. (AAP)

In-form Australia are eyeing a historic T20 women's series clean sweep of New Zealand and champion allrounder Ellyse Perry hasn't even had a bat yet.

Australia boosted their victory streak in the format to five and secured the three-match series on Monday with a second straight six-wicket win.

Such is the depth of the defending world champions, that Perry didn't need to bat in either game, as she wasn't listed in the top six for the matches in Sydney and Brisbane.

"It is such a deep batting order which is something we really pride ourselves on,'' Australian pace bowler Megan Schutt said.

"But to have Pez (Perry) there at no.7 it's almost relieving and I think it's saying that other people will be scared of our batting lineup."

Australia have never swept the White Ferns in a T20 series, but can tick that box if they win the last match on Friday at Canberra's Manuka Oval.

"Three from three is something that you want to kind of want to be posting on your Twitter," Schutt said.

"Everyone wants to perform and getting three wins from three is really what we're looking for."

Schutt, the world No.1 ranked T20 bowler, enjoyed a quick turnaround in fortunes in game two.

She won the player- of-the-match award, taking 3-15 in her four overs, after going for 20 in her final over in game one.

"That's T20 cricket and that's how it goes, sometimes you've just got to wear it," Schutt said.

"But a bit more of a me kind of wicket today which was nice, but they just landed a bit better and I got a bit luckier to be honest."

Australia's charge to victory with the bat was spearheaded by half centuries from Alyssa Healy and Elyse Villani.

Incredibly, it was hard-hitting wicketkeeper-opener Healy's first international T20 50 in 49 innings since 2012, when she got her only other two half centuries in successive days.

With some catches grassed on Monday, including one by herself, Schutt expected fielding would be a focus for Australia going into game three.

"Fielding will be a bigger issue there under lights as well and in the freezing cold," Schutt said.


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Source: AAP


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Aussies eyeing T20 clean sweep of Kiwis | SBS News