Australia retain Rose Bowl with fourth win

The White Ferns have no answer to the red hot Australian Southern Stars who recorded their fourth straight win to take an unassailable 4-0 lead in the Rose Bowl Series at Junction Oval in Melbourne.

After winning the toss and batting first, the White Ferns were kept to 162 in 37.3 overs, with the Australian openers knocking off the runs in 32.3 overs.

White Ferns wicketkeeper batsman Katey Martin top scored with 25 and was one of a number of the line up unable to convert a start into an innings of substance.

Australian strike bowler Ellyse Perry was in devastating form, ripping the top of the White Ferns innings before polishing off the tail to finish with figures of five for 31.

The Australians were untroubled by the run chase with Leah Pouton hitting nine fours and three sixes on her way to a career best 104 not out.

Opening partner Shelley Nitschke was there at the end on 44.

The teams meet again tomorrow in the final One-Day International before they head to Bellerive Oval for three Twenty20’s.

Scorecard - http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/scorecard/white-ferns-v-australia-17feb10.aspx