Australia registered their second straight win over the White Ferns in the WT20 INTL Series with a 59 run triumph in the Twenty20 match at North Sydney Oval today.
Despite losing the toss Australia managed a useful 128 for five from their 20 overs and then bundled out the White Ferns for 69 in 17.1 overs.
Australian openers Meg Lanning and Leah Poulton got off to solid start with a 46 run opening stand before three quick wickets pegged back the home side.
Rachel Candy caught Poulton of her own bowler for 18, Lucy Doolan trapped Manning LBW for 27 before Candy struck again to have Jess Cameron nicked out for 2.
The ascendency was short lived with the experienced Lisa Sthalekar pounding 52 off 32 balls while Alex Blackwell supported with 20.
Frances Mackay picked up two late wickets to finish with two for 15 off two overs while Candy took two for 24 off four.
The White Ferns run chase got off to a horror start, losing their top five batsmen for single figure scores.
Katey Perkins provided some brief resistance with 19 off 15 deliveries but more was required with the rest of the line-up crumbling under the scoreboard pressure and quality Australian bowling.
Sthalekar capped off a stellar game with three for 16 while Julie Hunter, Sarah Coyte and Erin Osbourne picked up two apiece.
The teams meet again tomorrow at the same venue for the second match of the five match series.
White Ferns schedule
20/01/2012, Twenty-20 Match, North Sydney Oval, Sydney – Result: Australia won by 4 wickets
21/01/2012, Twenty-20 Match, North Sydney Oval, Sydney – Result: Australia won by 59 runs
22/01/2012, Twenty-20 Match, North Sydney Oval, Sydney
25/01/2012, One-Day Match, Sydney Cricket Ground (Rose Bowl)
27/01/2012, One-Day Match, Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney (Rose Bowl)
29/01/2012, One-Day Match, Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney (Rose Bowl)
01/02/2012, Twenty-20 Match, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney
03/02/2012, Twenty-20 Match, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
