After sweeping New Zealand in the three-match series on home turf last month, Australia were favourites heading into the match, and they put on a fantastic all-round display against a team lacking the same level of execution.

With the bat, Alyssa Healy continued her golden run, scoring 53 off just 38 deliveries to set up Australia’s innings beautifully. Such was her influence, her getting dropped on 11 is a moment that could haunt New Zealand until the next World T20.

The middle-order couldn’t capitalise on the foundation set by Healy and Beth Mooney, though, and New Zealand gathered some momentum in the middle overs, with just 31 runs scored from overs ten to fifteen.

A handy cameo from vice-captain Rachael Haynes boosted Australia’s total to 153, which seemed to be about par.

Fielding errors were costly for New Zealand, who would’ve cost themselves at least half a dozen runs through basic mistake.

With the ball, the Aussies got off to a great start, with Megan Schutt, Ellyse Perry and Sophie Molineux all striking in the PowerPlay. At 3/13, New Zealand looked to be in trouble, but Sophie Devine and Katey Martin begun the rescue mission, and gave their team a sniff.

A clever piece of bowling by young Georgia Wareham and a batting error from Martin broke the partnership, and Australia never looked back.

All of the Aussie bowlers ended up taking wickets, and they seem to have the mix right at the moment, with Meg Lanning having variety and firepower with whoever she turns to.

Australia face a red-hot Indian side on November 17 for first place in the group, and Australia’s bowlers will need to be on song against a batting line-up that features skipper Harmanpreet Kaur fresh off of a century.

New Zealand will need to rely on other results to go their way, but their tournament will likely end at the group stage.

In recent T20s, losing wickets in the PowerPlay and sloppy fielding have been a theme, and they’ll need to improve in those areas going forward.