Lanning Smashes Ton As Australia Retain Rose Bowl

Lanning Smashes Ton As Australia Retain Rose Bowl

Meg Lanning needed just 45 balls to reach a century against New Zealand in Sydney as Australia retained the Rose Bowl series

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australia Women 178-1 (Lanning 103) beat
New Zealand Women 177 by nine wickets
Third One-Day International, Sydney
Scorecard
Report by John Pennington
More: Meg Lanning Audio

Meg Lanning hit the quickest century by an Australian to power her side to a nine-wicket victory over New Zealand Women in the third One-Day International in Sydney.

Lanning's 103 in 50 balls eased Australia past a 178-run target and the victory means they have retained the Rose Bowl with one game remaining.

Australia first put in a fine bowling effort to bowl New Zealand out for 177 as Erin Osborne returned three for 32. Lanning and Alyssa Healy (62) then put on 146 together for the first wicket to swiftly bat New Zealand out of the game.

Lanning's innings contained 18 fours and three sixes and beat Karen Rolton's record of a century in 57 balls as she reached the landmark in just 45 deliveries.

Healy struck 62 not out in 69 balls with Leah Poulton unbeaten on seven as the winning runs came in just the 22nd over.

For the latest cricket odds open an account with bet365 today and qualify for up to £200 in free bets.

Nicola Browne had earlier top scored for New Zealand with 42 and Suzie Bates made 39 but in addition to Osborne's three-wicket haul, Ellyse Perry, Lisa Sthalekar, Sarah Coyte and Jess Jonassen all took a wicket.

Debutant Megan Schutt went wicketless in five overs - perhaps the only low point on a memorable day for Australia.

© Cricket World 2012