White Ferns batter Amy Satterthwaite feels the side is making progress but still needs a complete performance to beat world number one Australia.
Amy Satterthwaite Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Australians continued their domination of their trans-Tasman rivals with a six wicket win in the opening T20 international in Hamilton on Sunday although the New Zealanders did have them under pressure for large parts of the game.
Australia were 14 for three at one stage in their chase for 131 runs.
Satterthwaite says Australia has quality players right throughout their line-up and therefore they can't afford to have too many lapses in their own game.
"We can't just concentrate on one or two players, we know they bat really deep and I think the way we started with the ball was how we would want to start every game so trying to replicate that will be really important."
"Also that back end of our innings trying to kick on and push towards that 140-150 mark."
Satterthwaite says the belief remains in the side, despite a disappointing summer so far which included a comprehensive loss to England.
"We know we can beat them if we turn up on the day and the pleasing things is that we've got a big picture view on the series and the England series and I think we've made some really positive strides forward in the previous game so if we can keep building on that then we're going to get better and better."
Australia targetted New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr in Sunday's win in Hamilton.
In an effort to gain some momentum after the loss of those three early wickets, the Australian batters took to Kerr, who went for 34 runs from her three overs.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Skipper Sophie Devine is happy if Australia continue to target Kerr.
"I think they know the threat that Melie is as a leg spin bowler - that's the thing with legspinners, not just Melie, any legspinner is they either take wickets or go for plenty of runs and that's them as a wicket-taking option.
"We know how world-class Melie is and back her to bounce back, but we also know that the Aussies are probably going to try and take her on - which is great, because that's going to bring chances."
"Credit to Ash Gardner, she batted exceptionally well. She played to her strengths and targeted Melie in that over which probably swung the game in their favour."
The White Ferns have beaten Australia just four times in the last five years.
The women's game starts at three.
Meanwhile the Black Caps may make a couple of changes to their lineup for the second T20 against Bangladesh tonight.
Pace bowler Adam Milne could get his first run for the Black Caps since 2018.