The Australian women's cricket team will be hoping almost two decades of history stays on their side as they look to avoid a rare Rose Bowl series defeat against New Zealand.
New Zealand's White Ferns head into Thursday's second women's ODI at Mt Maunganui with a 1-0 series lead, following a five-wicket win over the Southern Stars in Auckland on Sunday.
But turning that into a series victory remains another matter altogether.
The White Ferns stole a nine-run victory in last year's opening Rose Bowl match, but fell short in the last two games to continue a losing streak which stretches back 18 years.
Amy Satterthwaite, who piled on a century for the Kiwis in the first game, says memories of that defeat are keeping the White Ferns focused.
"We know what sort of side Australia is, and we know they're a classy unit," she said.
"They don't roll over easily. We were in this position last year, and then they came back and ended up winning the series."
The last time New Zealand held the Rose Bowl was in 1999, when they edged Australia 2-1, with current coach Haidee Tiffen part of the winning team.
Satterthwaite's 113-ball 102 not out on Sunday was was her fourth successive ODI century, joining unbeaten tallies of 137 and 115, and 123 against Pakistan at the beginning of this season.
New Zealand's win was also built around a never-say-die effort in the field, with Australia looking to be cruising to a huge total at 3-237 after 42 overs.
But with the last seven wickets falling for just 38 runs, the Southern Stars were dismissed for 275 off 48.4 overs at Eden Park Outer Oval.
Wicket keeper Rachel Priest played a key role, taking a record-equalling four catches as well as a sharp stumping dismissal.
Satterthwaite, who battled cramp in the latter stages of her innings, said there was still plenty of room for the White Ferns to improve.
"We know we've got a lot of hard work to do - we certainly know we've got to step up another notch, and that Australia are going to go hard," she said.
Share
