The four of them played starring roles as Australia earned their record 22nd ODI win in a row
Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and Ashleigh Gardner, the stars of Australia’s six-wicket win over New Zealand in their first ODI in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, have made big gains in the latest ICC rankings. The win itself was a landmark achievement for Meg Lanning’s team, as it was their 22nd in a row in the format, and took them past the record set by Ricky Ponting’s men in 2003.
Schutt, later named Player of the Match, returned 4 for 32, and Nicola Carey took 3 for 34, as New Zealand were bowled out for 212. As a result, Schutt moved past Marizanne Kapp to No. 2 among ODI bowlers – behind compatriot Jess Jonassen – and Carey got to a career-best 37th place.
Healy, Perry and Gardner all cracked half-centuries in Australia’s reply as they overhauled the target in just 38.3 overs. Healy’s 68-ball 65 took her to a career-high 753 points and helped her equal her career-best of third place, which she had achieved in October 2019. Perry hit 56 not out in 79 balls from No. 4, and Gardner’s 53 not out from No. 6 came in just 41 balls. For Perry, there was no change in her spot at No. 9 among batters, but it did help her get back past 700 points. Gardner, however, got to No. 30, the highest she has ever been.
Australia are also by far the foremost team in the format, and are now on 163 rating points, 45 points clear of second-placed South Africa. They are also the top team in T20Is – their three-match series in New Zealand finished 1-1 – with 289 rating points, but England are not too far behind them, on 284 points.
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