The New Zealand Emerging Players have come up short against the Australian Under-21 side in the second ODI match held at Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
Chasing 264 for victory, the Ferns put up a valiant attempt, but failed to keep up with the required run-rate and eventually were 23 runs short of victory.
New Zealand won the toss and bowled first, but never got on top of the Australian batting line-up at any point.
Hannah Trollip falling early for seven gave the Emerging Players an opportunity to put the Aussies under pressure, but her replacement Nicola Carey then took control of the innings and didn’t release her grip until the final ball.
Carey contributed a stunning 133 to the Australian’s total, an innings that included 14 fours and she was only dismissed on the ultimate ball.
Carey may have been the star of the show, but a number of her team mates played key supporting roles, including 40 from Kara Sutherland and 26 from Erin Burns.
At the end of 50 overs Australia had put together the imposing total of 263 for seven.
Frances Mackay carried on her good from during the series, this time with her bowling, as she collected figures of two for 33 from nine overs.
In reply New Zealand were in the fantastic position of 60 without loss. Unfortunately it didn’t last.
Natalie Dodd was dismissed for 25 and Anna Peterson soon followed for just two.
Frances Mackay once again anchored the innings for the Kiwis and was superb on her way to 109 to give her side a real shot at pulling off an amazing run chase.
However the run-rate was still quite high and the pressure told.
When Mackay went out wickets started to tumble and the White Ferns were left to imagine what might have been. In the end New Zealand finished their overs at 242 for nine.
It wrapped up the series for the Aussie team, but there were many positives for the Emerging Players as they look to the final game of the series on Thursday.
