Satterthwaite key to White Ferns’ series win

All eyes will be on Amy Satterthwaite at Mt Maunganui today as the White Ferns look to end an 18-year women’s cricket ODI hoodoo against Australia in the Rose Bowl series.

Satterthwaite is in a purple patch of form with the bat and is chasing her fifth consecutive one-day international ton as New Zealand seeks to tie up the three-match series with a second straight win.

She fought off cramps to craft an unbeaten 102 as the White Ferns pulled off the second biggest run chase in women's cricket history, recording a five-wicket win in the first clash of the Rose Bowl series at Eden Park last Sunday.

Backing up from the Twenty20 series victory over their TransTasman rivals, a one-day series victory would be extremely significant for the White Ferns, who haven't claimed the Rosebowl since 1999.

After 14 defeats and a drawn series, it looks like that drought could soon be over if the burgeoning Kiwi side continue their recent performances.

Satterwaithe and White Ferns captain Suzie Bates will be keys to an historic success.

New Zealand had never chased down more than 267 to win a match but Bates got them off to a flying start in Auckland, mixing power and innovation as she raced through to 55 before she was dismissed. Satterthwaite struggled for rhythm before taking the game away from Australia and hitting the winning runs so Australia is desperate to halt the losing slide against the White Ferns.

The third match of the series is also set for the Mount on Sunday.