Monday, 19 March 2012
Categories: Cricket - Cricket

Shooting stars chase down Kiwi total

By Anthony Morgan, Christchurch

A SOLID second-wicket foundation set by Claire Koski and Beth Mooney helped the visiting Australian under-21s to victory by four wickets in their opening limited overs clash with New Zealand’s Emerging players at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.

Set a modest 224 to win, the Shooting Stars got off to a cautious start yesterday with openers Mooney and Hannah Trollip posting 42 for the first wicket before Trollip was caught for 12 off Kate Broadmore’s bowling in the 10th over.

Koski strode to the crease and continued on her imposing form from the Twenty20 matches, where she bludgeoned 62 runs at a strike rate of 109.

Mooney and Koski added 99 in 22 overs before the co-captain was bowled by Anna Peterson for 66, an innings which compiled seven boundaries.

Koski continued on, however, and with a familiar ally in NSW teammate Nicola Carey the pair added 50 before Carey was dismissed for 31.

Erin Burns, who opened in the Twenty20s, hit a brisk 14 before she was dismissed with seven runs needed.

Kara Sutherland fell soon after, before Koski was dismised for 84 with the first ball of the final with the scores level.

Jemma Barsby came out and hit a boundary with her first ball to give the Shooting Stars the 1-0 series lead.

Earlier in the day the base of New Zealand Emerging’s innings was provided by Frances Mackay who scored a slow 64 off 118 balls before late order cameos by Broadmore (47), Meg Kendal (28) and Holly Huddleston (12) helped them reach 223.

Carey and Megan Schutt picked up three wickets apiece for the Shooting Stars in a disciplined all-round bowling effort.

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