In-form New Zealand thrash Australia

New Zealand 132 for 7 (Bates 48, Haynes 3-19) beat Australia 73 (Watkins 3-8) by 59 runs
Scorecard

New Zealand's Twenty20 expertise was too much for an overpowered Australia again as the hosts secured a 59-run victory in Wellington. After losing all five one-day matches in Australia, New Zealand hit back to conclude the tour with three Twenty20 wins in a row and took their streak to four after easily defending 132 for 7.

Australia were in trouble from the start and the exits of Shelley Nitschke, who was bowled trying to pull Kate Pulford (2 for 21), and Alex Blackwell ended their chances. Blackwell played on to Suzie Bates, leaving her side at 32 for 4, and her team-mates were unable to fight back. Aimee Watkins cleaned up the tail with 3 for 8 to dismiss Australia for 73, their lowest T20 total.

The opener Bates set up New Zealand with some strong hitting in her 48 off 40 balls and Sophie Devine helped finish it off with 28 off 22, including a six to midwicket, before being run out in the final over. Rachael Haynes was the most successful of the visitors with 3 for 19 in two eventful overs.