Australia retain Rose Bowl after 40-run win over New Zealand
Ash Gardner struck 84 from 45 balls as Australia took a 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 series at North Sydney Oval.
Australia posted 6-167 before restricting New Zealand to 8-127 at North Sydney Oval, securing the Twenty20 series and extending their hold on the Rose Bowl beyond 26 years.
Vice-captain Ash Gardner hit 10 fours and four sixes in her 45-ball innings of 84, giving Australia a platform after they slipped to 3-41. Beth Mooney contributed 39 from 28 deliveries before Maddy Green took a diving catch at long on off Jess Kerr.
Georgia Voll fell for a duck for the second consecutive match, caught and bowled by Bree Illing. Phoebe Litchfield, back after a minor hip complaint, scored seven, while Ellyse Perry was dismissed for 11. Litchfield replaced Tahlia McGrath in Australia's only team change.
Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham led Australia's bowling with 3-18 across four overs. New Zealand captain Melie Kerr made 32 from 38 balls, the highest score in a chase that never seriously threatened Australia's total.
The result gave Australia a 12th successive T20 win, a streak that includes their unbeaten World Cup campaign in the UK during June and July. Gardner credited captain Sophie Molineux with fostering enjoyment, growth and competition within the squad.
The Rose Bowl will next be contested in March during a three-match one-day series, marking the first season in which the trophy has been at stake twice.
