Australia breathed life into the women's Rose Bowl one-day cricket series by belting the White Ferns by 104 runs at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
The reigning world champions dominated from the outset at Seddon Park in Hamilton to ensure that more than pride is riding on the fourth match of the series at the same venue on Sunday.
The White Ferns won the opening two games in Whangarei but a change in venue saw a change in result today as the Australians lifted their intensity in all areas to keep the five-match series alive.
After posting a challenging 258 for eight, Australia applied the screws to roll the White Ferns for 154 inside 40 overs.
Facing such a target the New Zealand needed at least one batsmen to provide an innings of substance but it did not materialise.
Opener Aimee Mason scored 34, Suzie Bates 33 and skipper Haidee Tiffen 30 but none went on after establishing themselves.
After missing out with the bat, Lisa Sthalekar made an invaluable contribution with the ball for Australia, capturing three for 16 as the White Ferns' middle and lower order was dealt to.
She received more than able support from Erin Osborne, who took three for 32 off nine overs.
Earlier, a rousing opening stand of 148 set Australia up for a robustly healthy total.
Shelley Nitschke and Alex Blackwell got their team off to a flyer, scoring at close to six runs an over for the opening half of the innings as the New Zealand attack was placed under pressure.
Blackwell's departure in the 27th over for 59, off 79 balls and including six boundaries, sparked a mini-collapse as Australia slipped to 159 for three.
Nitschke want almost immediately after her opening partner for 73 off 85 ball, with 12 fours, and Lisa Sthalekar barely troubled the scores.
But Lauren Ebsary then scored 30, skipper Karen Rolton 28 and Jessica Cameron 23 as the tourists pushed on to a challenging total.
The New Zealand bowlers became ragged at times, with 18 wides among the 27 extras conceded.
The best of them was Beth McNeill, who completed her 10 overs with figures of one for 41 while Nic Browne had two for 51.
The fourth match of the series is at the same venue on Sunday.
