A half-century from Suzie Bates and fiery opening spell from Sian Ruck were the highlights of the White Ferns' 18-run win over Australia in a women's Twenty20 world championship warmup cricket match at Molyneaux in St Kitts today.
It continued the Ferns' dominance over their trans-Tasman rivals in the shortest format after they won five T20 matches in a row against them during the summer.
Bates' 51 came off 45 balls with five boundaries while Sara McGlashan scored 29 as the pair added a brisk 62-run stand.
The White Ferns' middle order couldn't take advantage of their strong start, scoring just 53 off the final 10 overs as they managed 136 for six off their 20 overs.
White Ferns strike bowler Ruck snared two early wickets including the prize scalp of Leah Poulton for one.
Allrounder Shelley Nitschke hit 31 from 29 deliveries and captain Alex Blackwell struck an unbeaten 44 but the damage was done early as Australia ended the match on 118 for five.
Ruck finished with two for 11 off her four overs.
Coach Gary Stead was pleased with the team's performance in difficult conditions.
"The match was set up by very good bowling and fielding from the team on a very rough and undulating outfield," Stead said.
"Rachel Priest was sharp behind the stumps and our attack bowled to the field."
The White Ferns, beaten by England in last year's tournament final, play the West Indies in their final warmup match tomorrow before their tournament opener against India on Friday (NZT).
Scores: New Zealand 136-6 off 20 overs (S Bates 51, S McGlashan 29; S Nitschke 1-19) bt Australia 118-5 off 20 overs (A Blackwell 44no, S Nitschke 31; S Ruck 2-11, K Broadmore 1-22, A Satterthwaite 1-23) by 18 runs.
