New Zealand Women v Australia Women third ODI preview

Rain has disrupted the first two matches of New Zealand Women's ODI series against Australia Women.

However, Annabel Sutherland shone through the showers in Wellington on Saturday.

The number five struck a brilliant unbeaten 105 off 81 balls to power Australia to 7-291 in the second ODI after the first game at the Basin Reserve had been washed out.

New Zealand, chasing an adjusted target of 188 from 30.1 overs, were pegged back by an excellent new-ball spell from Kim Garth, who dismissed openers Suzie Bates and Bella James and conceded only 17 runs from six overs.

The hosts ended up 65 runs short of victory and Australia are hot favourites to seal the series in Monday's third ODI in Wellington.

New Zealand Women v Australia Women betting preview

Hosts face uphill struggle to end losing streak

Australia have been ruthless in their recent ODI encounters with New Zealand, winning the last 14 meetings since a five-wicket defeat in Auckland in February 2017.

The White Ferns are 6.00 to snap that losing streak and level the rain-affected series on Monday, but they were outclassed by their neighbours in Saturday's second ODI in Wellington.

Sutherland signed off this month's home ODI series against India with a century in Perth, scoring 110 off 95 balls with nine fours and four sixes and she followed up with another superb ton on Saturday.

Unsurprisingly, the 23-year-old all-rounder was named Player of the Match in both of those games and she also took home the Player of the Series award against India, having taken 4-39 in the second ODI.

Sutherland is 10.00 to be Player of the Match in the series finale at the Basin Reserve, although the market is led by Alyssa Healy, Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry, all priced up at 7.00.

Healy is playing as a specialist batter in this series, with Beth Mooney keeping wicket, while her opening partner Litchfield will be hoping to make a match-defining contribution after scores of 35, 60, 25 and 25 in her last four ODIs.

Rookie opener aiming to build on debut

New Zealand opener Bella James made a positive impression on her international debut, scoring 27 off 33 balls, while her veteran partner Suzie Bates was dismissed for four off 17.

The highlight of James' innings was a six off Megan Schutt and she can be backed at 1.83 to score over 15.5 runs in the third ODI.

She was dismissed for a first-ball duck in last week's 50-over game between Otago and Northern Districts, but her previous five scores in the domestic competition were 47 not out, 46, 101 not out, 36 and 63.

All-rounder Amelia Kerr was Player of the Tournament in New Zealand's shock T20 World Cup triumph in October and she is expected to play a key role in the third ODI.

Kerr top-scored with 38 in the White Ferns' faltering run-chase on Saturday and is 3.50 to be New Zealand's top batter again.

She is also 3.20 to be New Zealand's top bowler although the forecast is for a cloudy day with scattered showers, which may reduce the threat posed by the ace leg-spinner.

Kerr went wicketless in 10 overs on Saturday, conceding 59 runs, as seamer Molly Penfold stole the show for the White Ferns with the ball.

Penfold dismissed Healy, Perry and Mooney, three of Australia's top four, on her way to figures of 4-42 and she is 4.75 to be New Zealand's top bowler on Monday.

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New Zealand Women v Australia Women odds

New Zealand Women - 6.00
Australia Women - 1.12

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.