Shelley Nitschke stroked her maiden One-Day century to take the Australian Southern Stars to a six wicket victory over the White Ferns in the Rose Bowl series at Queen's Park in Invercargill.
Australia ensured tomorrows match is a final after they hit their way to 256 for four to win with 15 balls to spare after their White Ferns had put on a competitive 255 for eight from their 50 overs.
Nitschke was there at the end to complete the victory on 113 off 130 balls which included seven fours and four sixes. The Australian opener has maintained a rich vein of form after hitting 51 in the first One-Day International and 45 in the second Twenty20.
Leah Poulton (47) and Nitschke got the run chase off to the perfect start, putting on 90 for the first wicket and the tourist never relinquished control.
The opening stand was backed up by a better one for the third wicket of 108 between Nitschke and Sarah Elliott (59) before a brisk 21 not out from Lisa Sthalekar finished things off.
The bulk of New Zealand’s 255 for eight came from Amy Satterthwaite who starred with her highest One-Day score of 81. The tall all-rounder shared a valuable 114 run partnership with Suzie Bates who struck 61.
The home side were cruising at 171 for two but three quick wickets by Australia roped them in before Sara McGlashan blasted 34 at the end of the innings propel the total.
Medium pacer Julie Hunter took three for 40 for Australia with Ellyse Perry and Erin Osborne chiming in with two apiece.
The White Ferns won the two Twenty20 matches while the Australians took out the first two One-Dayers with the fifth and deciding match of the series played at the same ground tomorrow.
Rose Bowl Series
Twenty20 Series
Fri 26 Feb – White Ferns won by 59 runs
Sun 28 Feb - White Ferns won by 17 runs
One-Day Internationals
Wed 3 Mar – Australia won by 2 wickets
Sat 6 Feb – Australia won by 6 wickets
Sun 7 Feb - White Ferns v Australia, Queens Park, Invercargill
