Opener Sophie Devine has blasted 62 runs off 48 balls to steer the White Ferns to a 23-run victory in their opening T20 encounter against India in Wellington.
But the win may have come at a cost, as all-rounder Frances Mackay limped from the field with a leg injury during the opening over of India's reply.
Mackay collided with batting partner Katey Martin mid-pitch during their 48-run fifth-wicket partnership, with both teammates going down in a cloud of dust.
While both picked themselves up to compelte the innings, Mackay could not finish bowling her first over of the Indian response. Replays later showed she may have twisted her ankle fielding the ball.
Mackay, returning to the national team after five years in the wilderness, was on crutches, as her teammates celebrated their victory afterwards.
Devine featured two sixes and six fours in her anchoring role, but lost opening partner Suzie Bates in the second over.
Caitlin Gurrey chipped in 15 runs off 16 balls, but when she departed, Devine found a willing ally in Amy Satterthwaite, putting on 69 runs with her captain.
Martin and Mackay put the icing on a demanding score, with Martin plundering 27 runs off 14 balls, including two sixes.
Early on, India seemed to be in control of their run chase, with opener Smriti Mandhana clubbing 58 runs off 34 balls, including three sixes.
Jemimah Rodrigues leant worthy support with her 39 runs off 33 balls, but when Mandhana was caught by Hannah Rowe, off the bowling of Amelia Kerr, the innings unravelled quickly.
Rodrigues followed in the next over, and Lea Tahuhu captured the wickets of Dayalan Hemalatha and Anuja Patil two overs later to continue the rout.
Tahuhu was eventually named Player of the Match, with three wickets for 20 runs off her four overs. Kerr and Leigh Kasperek grabbed two wickets each.
After losing their one-day series 2-1, the NZ women now have the upper hand over their rivals, with the two more T20 encounters scheduled, the next in Auckland on Friday.
Newshub.
