KEY POINTS:
Australia retained the women's cricket Rose Bowl after a tense two-run victory over New Zealand at Gardens Oval in Darwin yesterday.
The victory gave Australia an unbeatable 3-1 lead with one match to play today. It is the seventh straight time they have won the Rose Bowl.
After being sent into bat, Australia made 198 for seven from their 50 overs, led by captain Karen Rolton's 81 not out. Rolton's side looked headed for an easy win after having the White Ferns at 5-54 in the 21st over. However Nicola Browne (61) and Rachel Priest (33) spearheaded New Zealand's recovery to set up a tense finish, with the Kiwis making 196 for nine.
Rolton's unbeaten 81 came from 131 balls. It was her 28th one-day international half-century and included eight boundaries and a six. She was well-supported by opener Melissa Bulow, who made 41 from 62 balls.
"It's great to win the series, especially since we've had new players come in and with the injuries we've had here," Rolton said. "It's been good to play against a great team in this series and have these close matches.
"You couldn't ask for anything more than a couple of the games to be decided in the last over. We don't want to lose any games we play, so tomorrow well be trying to finish off this series 4-1."
Browne and Priest had New Zealand on track for an unlikely victory with a partnership of 74 before Kris Britt produced a crucial run out.
- AAP
