Sutherland breaks down Australia’s mantra for success post New Zealand series win
Australia all-rounder reflects on the winning ethos that have propelled her side to successive series wins.
Australia sealed the T20I series against New Zealand with a commanding 82-run victory in the second T20I, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead.
This win adds to their dominant form, having crushed England 16-0 in the Women's Ashes earlier this year. Annabel Sutherland, who finished as the Player of the Match in Mount Maunganui, puts Australia's recent success down to embodying the “no limits” ethos they have aimed for.
“I think we're sort of showing a bit more of the way we want to play," Sutherland told reporters after Australia's win.
"Certainly in the way we're speaking about our cricket, most conversations, we're putting value on that type of cricket, which is cool. And celebrating the little moments along the way which go towards that style of play.”
Annabel Sutherland's all-round excellence helped Australia seal a 2-0 series win over New Zealand ⚡#NZvAUS 📝: https://t.co/N9UpMDBimg pic.twitter.com/7pH0a7GUdZ
— ICC (@ICC) March 23, 2025
Batting first, Australia posted a massive total of 204 in the second T20I, thanks to a blistering knock of 70 off 42 balls by Beth Mooney - her fourth 70-plus score in her last five T20I knocks.
"Yeah, that is crazy. In T20 cricket, which is a hard game, she looks so good out there and tough to bowl to," Sutherland said of Mooney's consistent run with the bat.
The all-rounder then played a pivotal role in Australia's win, claiming a four-wicket haul in just 2.1 overs while conceding only eight runs - her best career figures in T20Is.
"It felt pretty good. There was a bit of pace and bounce in the wicket, which suited me," said Sutherland.
Annabel Sutherland achieved career-best T20I figures during her bowling masterclass against New Zealand 👊#NZvAUS 📝 : https://t.co/N9UpMDBimg pic.twitter.com/VRs1MZeEAs
— ICC (@ICC) March 23, 2025
“I thought Darcie Brown as well did a really good job and then our spinners too. So that was a good [all] round performance,” she added.
The win over the reigning T20 World Cup champions marked Australia's first-ever T20I series win in New Zealand. However, Sutherland stated, the focus remains on maintaining a clinical approach with both bat and ball, regardless of the opposition.
"Oh, more so just for us in the way that we want to play, not really comparing to other teams. It's just, we know sort of where we can get to.
"We're not really putting a limit on that. Nice to hit that 200 mark today with a bat on a pretty good deck. And, like I said, clinical with the ball."