Kasperek grabs 6-46 but Aust streak in full bloom

The White Ferns’ wait to lift the women’s cricket Rose Bowl drags on.

Australia retained the trophy that they’ve held since 2000, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in their threematch ODI series with a 71-run win in Mt Maunganui yesterday.

The win came on the back of a strong batting effort, reaching 271-7 thanks to top-order knocks from Rachael Haynes (87 off 105 balls), Alyssa Healy (44 off 50) and Meg Lanning ( 49 off 51).

A 300-plus score looked possible but Leigh Kasperek took the fourthbest figures in White Ferns ODI history, and the best against Australia, with the recalled spinner claiming a career-best 6-46.

In response, the White Ferns’ chase was realistically dead in the water when they lost Lauren Down and Amy Satterthwaite in the first two overs, although Hayley Jensen (28 off 40), Amelia Kerr (47 off 70) and Brooke Halliday (32 off 56) produced handy partnerships.

However, the required run rate was always an unrealistic task, and the Ferns’ lower order tumbled trying to hit out.

Australia’s spinners claimed five wickets while there were three runouts as the visitors continued on their world record run, sealing their 23rd consecutive ODI victory.

The final match of the series is on Saturday at the same venue.

Photo / Getty Images White Ferns batter Amelia Kerr was top scorer for the Kiwis as they folded for 200 all out, losing by 71 runs against the might of Australia in the second ODI at Mt Maunganui yesterday.