Australia Clinch Series Win With Seven-Run Victory

Australia Clinch Series Win With Seven-Run Victory

Jess Cameron top scored for Australia as they won the final match by seven runs

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australia Women 267-9 (Cameron 66) beat
New Zealand Women 260-8 by seven runs
Fourth One-Day International, Sydney
Scorecard
Report by John Pennington
Cathryn Fitzpatrick Audio

Australia Women took an outright 3-1 Rose Bowl Series win over New Zealand as they took victory in the fourth and final One-Day International in Sydney.

The closest of all four matches was decided in the final over when New Zealand closed on 260 for eight in reply to Australia's 267 for eight.

Jess Cameron top scored with 66 for the home side while Nicola Browne and Suzie Bates both scored half-centuries for the tourists but they were to fall short.

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The Australia innings benefited from contributions throughout, opener Rachael Haynes making 32, Meg Lanning 38, Lisa Sthalekar 22 and then Ellyse Perry a valuable unbeaten 33 in 30 balls lower down.

Lea Tahuhu was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with three for 47 and Amy Satterthwaite, later to be named player of the series, grabbed three for 58.

New Zealand were looking on course for victory as their reply was first set up by openers Lucy Doolan (30) and Bates (54) before Satterthwaite hit 38, Katie Perkins 40 and Browne 63.

However, Australia refused to give in and with Megan Schutt taking her first international wicket by dismissing Doolan, they bowled themselves back into the contest and New Zealand slipped from 220 for three to 252 for seven and in the final overs, it was Australia who held their nerve, Schutt (2-43) striking again to remove Tahuhu.

Perry returned two for 44 and there was a wicket apiece for Sthalekar, Sharon Millanta and Erin Osborne.

© Cricket World 2012