A strong showing by Australia’s top order earned an eight-wicket victory over the White Ferns to win the Rose Bowl Series.
The world champions secured a 3-2 series win to retain the trophy after a century stand between openers Shelley Nitschke (82) and Alex Blackwell (91).
Lisa Sthalekar made an unbeaten 61, mostly from a stand of 80 with Blackwell to put her team in sight of a victory sealed with a ball to spare in the 47th over.
The White Ferns set a competitive target of 250, losing seven wickets en route having elected to bat.
Middle-order pair Sara McGlashan and Nicola Browne top scored in the innings with 50 each, with Sophie Devine adding 40, striking three fours and a six in her 27-ball knock.
Devine and Lucy Doolan took a wicket each in the reply, but with no other wickets to be gained, the Southern Stars came back from 2-1 down to take the series.
