Australia survive New Zealand scare to book spot in Commonwealth Games final

Chasing 145, Lea Tahuhu picked up 3 for 19 to set up a nervy finish for Australia, who got over the line with three balls to spare

Edgbaston: New Zealand 144-7, Australia 145-5 - Australia won by five wickets

Scorecard

Australia booked their place in the Commonwealth Games final after completing a nervy, five-wicket win over New Zealand at Edgbaston.

Chasing 145, Australia endured a rocky start to their innings, with Lea Tahuhu striking place in the powerplay to remove Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning. However, they were given a sizeable helping hand by New Zealand's fielders, who dropped Lanning, Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath in the first half of the innings.

McGrath made New Zealand pay for their error, striking 34 runs off 23 balls, but was run-out by Amelia Kerr to leave the game finely poised heading into the final nine overs.

Tahuhu, a constant thorn in Australia's side, bowled a wicket-maiden to remove Mooney (36 off 29) and finished with match figures of 3 for 19 while Sophie Devine accounted for Rachael Haynes in the 18th.

^{Lea Tahuhu nearly bowled New Zealand to victory [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]}

But it wasn't enough for the White Ferns, with Ashleigh Gardner (19 off 20) and Grace Harris (8 off 7) coming together to see their side home with three balls to spare.

Earlier, New Zealand made a nightmare start, losing Suzie Bates for a golden duck inside the first over, and nearly found themselves two down after Georgia Plimmer was given out lbw. A review overturned the decision.

On debut, Plimmer batted well, scoring 17 off 16 before falling victim to Megan Schutt (3 for 20) in the final over of the powerplay.

Runs never flowed easily but a 73-run third-wicket stand between Devine and Kerr ensured they suffered none of the batting issues which plagued them against England in the previous match.

Devine was eventually dismissed for 53 (48) in the 16th over, Mooney taking the catch off Jess Jonassen, and from that point Australia wrestled back control, taking four wickets off the remaining overs: New Zealand 144 for 7.

New Zealand will take on England in the bronze medal match before Australia and India do battle for the gold medal.