A century by captain Meg Lanning has steered the Australian women's cricket team to a remarkable 20th straight ODI victory and a shot at history.
Meg Lanning ensured Australia chased down New Zealand's total with four overs to spare. Photo: Photosport
Lanning struck an unbeaten 101 off 96 balls as Australia claimed a four-wicket game two win over New Zealand in Brisbane today sealing the trans-Tasman Rose Bowl series.
After the White Ferns made 9-252 at Allan Border Field, Lanning hit her 14th ODI ton while vice-captain Rachael Haynes struck 82 off 89 to help steer Australia to 6-255 in the 46th over.
It ensured Australia retained the Rose Bowl trophy they have held since 2000.
Now Australia can make history with another victory in Wednesday's game three.
They can equal the ODI record of 21 consecutive wins held by Ricky Ponting's side in 2003 with a series whitewash.
And they will be quietly confident after Australia backed up their seven-wicket win in the series opener by reeling in the biggest total of their impressive streak that started in early 2018.
Lanning put on a 117-run second-wicket stand with Haynes before spinner Amelia Kerr (3-47 off 10 overs) threatened to turn the match on its head.
She trapped Beth Mooney leg before for six before dismissing Sophie Molineux (14) and form batter Ashleigh Gardner in successive balls as Australia slumped from 1-154 to 5-196 in the 36th over.
But Lanning held her nerve, hitting nine fours and three sixes.
The White Ferns' hopes of restricting Australia were not helped when strike seamer Lea Tahuhu (0-26 off 2.4 overs) broke down with a lower back complaint in the 13th over.
Earlier in the day, White Ferns captain Sophie Devine has spearheaded a much improved showing with the bat in the second Rose Bowl one-dayer against Australia in Brisbane.
Sophie Devine hit 79 in a much better batting effort by New Zealand. Photo: Photosport
Devine has top scored with 79 opening the batting in the absence of the injured Suzie Bates as New Zealand amassed 252 for nine from their 50 overs after being sent in by Australia.
The White Ferns were restricted to 180 in the first ODI on Saturday, with Australia chasing down the target with seven wickets and 16 overs to spare.
Devine shared in a 75-run partnership with Natalie Dodd for the first wicket and then put together a further 93 runs with Amy Satterthwaite before the New Zealand captain was dismissed in the 39th over.
When Satterthwaite was dismissed six overs later for 69 the White Ferns were 203 for four and looking like falling short of their 250-run target.
But late cameos from Katey Martin (26 from 14) and Maddy Green (21 from 13) ensured New Zealand reached their mark, despite a late collapse which saw them lose their last five wickets for just two runs.
- ABC