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Molineux wins battle of Sophies to lead Aussies to win over New Zealand in T20

Murray WenzelThe West Australian
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VideoWATCH: After a dominant bowling display, Sophie Devine looked set to go big - before a controversial dismissal.

Australia have leaned more heavily on spin than ever before in a Twenty20 international to cruise to a 2-0 series win against New Zealand in Brisbane.

The hosts bowled a record 13 spin overs on a slow Allan Border Field wicket, Georgia Wareham (3-26) and Sophie Molineux (2-17) proving too tricky as they notched a 13th-straight win in all formats against the Kiwis.

Delissa Kimmince (3-21) then cleaned up the tail before Australia chased down the 129-run target with eight wickets and 20 balls to spare.

Alyssa Healy (33 off 17) and Beth Mooney (24 from 21) started the chase brightly before Rachael Haynes (40 from 31) and Meg Lanning (26 off 32) saw them home.

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The win followed a more competitive 17-run victory on Saturday against the tourists in what is the first international cricket to be played in the country since March.

It wasn’t the only record broken, wicketkeeper Healy (92) moving ahead of Indian great MS Dhoni (91) for dismissals in the format.

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Healy’s clean, quick hands caught Sophie Devine’s foot in the air during Saturday’s win and, after a lengthy third umpire review on Sunday, she added Amy Satterthwaite to her tally.

Sophie Molineux celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of Sophie Devine.
Camera IconSophie Molineux celebrates with team mates after taking the wicket of Sophie Devine. Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Like Devine on Saturday, Satterthwaite (30 off 25) loomed as key to New Zealand’s innings.

But her promising innings was cut short after a lengthy review finally deemed that her foot hadn’t shuffled back behind the crease in time.

Lauren Down was then given out caught behind, despite a weak appeal from behind the stumps, compounding New Zealand frustrations in a series that does not feature decision review system technology.

Australia can wrap up a 3-0 series win on Wednesday, before their attention switches to three ODIs next month.

A clean-sweep of that series would put the side equal with the world record 21-game winning streak set by Ricky Ponting’s Australian outfit in 2003.

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