The White Ferns have beaten Australia by 14 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the Rose Bowl series at Queens Park in Invercargill.
Batting first, the White Ferns hit 147 for five with telling contributions from Amy Satterthwaite and Sara McGlashan setting up the total.
The pair put on 97 for the third wicket before Satterthwaite went for 45 off 37 balls in the 18th overs.
McGlashan’s lasted until 19.4 overs and struck the White Ferns top score of 62 off 50 deliveries in an innings studded with five boundaries and a six.
Australia made a steady start to their runs chase and the match was evenly poised at 73 for three. However, Nicola Browne picked up two wickets in two balls to swing the momentum firmly New Zealand’s way.
The tourists were unable to recover despite a late flurry from Lisa Sthalekar who struck a quickfire 32 not out at the end with tight bowling restricting them to 133 for six.
Browne was the best of the attack taking two for 24 off four overs while Kate Broadmore picked up two for 19 off three.
The teams meet again tomorrow in Invercargill for the final Twenty20 match of the series before heading to Lincoln for three 50-over matches with the series decided across both formats.
