Cricket: Ferns lose final match

Australian players celebrate the wicket of Elizabeth Perry. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand women's cricket side's disappointing tour of Australia ended how it started with defeat in the fifth and final Twenty20 international played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.

The White Ferns lost the Rose Bowl one-day series 1-0 (two matches were abandoned because of rain) and went down 4-1 in the Twenty20 series.

In the final Twenty20 international today, New Zealand made 109 for seven in their 20 overs chasing 130 for victory. They might have fancied their chances of overcoming Australia's total but lost wickets at regular intervals throughout their innings, with only Frances Mackay (21 not out) getting above 20.

England tour New Zealand later this month for five Twenty20 and three one-day internationals.