Morna Neilsen of New Zealand bats during the women's Twenty20 match against the Australian Southern Stars. Photo / Getty Images
Lisa Sthalekar took four wickets to lift Australia to a seven run victory over the White Ferns in the third WT20 INTL match and win the five match series with two games to spare.
Led by Alex Blackwell's 41, Australia scored 134 for eight after winning the toss and batting
first at North Sydney Oval. The White Ferns chased valiantly but couldn't overcome the Australian total thanks to Sthalekar's four wicket haul and were left just short on 127 for eight.
Amy Satterthwaite scored 45 and Liz Perry added 24 to keep the White Ferns close before Morna Nielsen lashed a quick 21 at the end of the innings.
Sthalekar proved to be the difference between the two sides, striking early to get rid of Suzie Bates and taking three quick wickets in the latter stages to squash any hopes of a White Ferns revival. The wily spinner finished with career best figures of four for 18 off four overs.
Julie Hunter was the only other Australian bowler to register a wicket with the remaining three dismals all coming via run-outs.
