Skipper Meg Lanning believes Australia's bowlers are getting better with each match at the Women's Cricket World Cup after putting New Zealand to the sword at Bristol.
The defending champions cruised to a five-wicket win on Sunday, chasing down a target of 220 with eight balls to spare after the White Ferns were restricted to 9-219 from their 50 overs.
Spinner Jess Jonassen was the pick of the attack, taking 3-33, as she ripped through the top order to set up the win for her side.
Seamer Megan Schutt also grabbed three wickets with legspinner Amanda Jade-Wellington and Ash Gardner taking one apiece.
Lanning said she was satisfied with how her team was progressing after securing a third successive win despite slipping to second spot on the standings behind India, who thrashed Pakistan on Sunday, on net run rate.
"It was a good challenge and New Zealand bowled pretty well and you never felt you were in," Lanning said.
"But the win was set up by our bowlers who were able to take wickets at crucial times. All in all I am pretty happy with the performance ... it's nice to keep winning."
Jonassen was recalled to the side after being left out for the win over Sri Lanka on Thursday.
She vindicated that decision with an excellent spell of bowling that saw her dismiss three of New Zealand's top-four - including the vital wicket of in-form skipper Suzie Bates for 51.
"She's been one of our best bowlers for a number of years now," Lanning said.
"We wanted to go with the attacking option and she's a wicket-taker.
"It was tough to leave Kristen Beams out as she's been bowling well.
"But we're in a really good spot as a squad that we've got 15 players who can come in and play a role."
Alex Blackwell (36 not out) and Elysse Perry (71) guided the team home comfortably after New Zealand had given themselves a glimmer of hope with two wickets in as many balls from 16-year-old legspinner Amelia Kerr.
Lanning was the first of Kerr's victims along with Elyse Vilani, on her first visit to the crease this tournament after falling to a brilliant delivery that clipped the top of the middle and off-stumps, for a first-ball duck.
Lanning said she was delighted to see Perry, who was caught on the boundary with the scores level, and Blackwell spend some extended time in the middle.
"I was really pleased for Alex to come in and wrest the momentum back after New Zealand picked up those couple of wickets," she said.
"We're confident in our batting line-up that if we do lose wickets that we have players who come in and do well."
Australia now play Pakistan at Leicester on Wednesday and a victory will all but secure their place in the semi-finals.
