Summary

Live Reporting

by Elizabeth Botcherby

  1. Aus 255-7

    : Melie Kerr of New ZealandGetty Images

    Melie Kerr finishes with figures of 2-54. Australia will be happy to see the back of her.

    Ash Gardner is on strike for the 42nd over.

  2. Ed Seabourne
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Australia are continuing to create boundary opportunities, out of nowhere it seems at times.

  3. Aus 252-7

    Lea Tahuhu of New ZealandGetty Images

    Ooooh a slightly nervy moment for Ash Gardner as she miscues the ball into the leg side but it falls short of Melie Kerr.

    With 10 overs remaining, Australia are 252-7. Melie Kerr has one over remaining, the economical Lea Tahuhu has three. Gardner will be eyeing the other six.

  4. Aus 246-7

    Kim Garth pings the fourth delivery of her innings for four.

    Six runs off Melie Kerr's penultimate over.

  5. How's stat?!

    Gardner 'smashes' six over long off to bring up her half-century

    Today's innings continues a bit of a purple patch for Ash Gardner in one-day cricket. In her last 10 innings in the format, she's averaging 52.6 compared to a career average of 30.5. Her run-a-ball Ashes century against England in Hobart earlier this year is the highlight of this hot streak.

  6. Aus 240-7

    Kim Garth gets off the mark with a single.

    Will that wicket change Ash Gardner's strategy? She could swing for the hills but I don't think there's any need to hurry. There's 12 overs left in the innings after all and Garth has two ODI fifties to her name.

  7. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    Sophie Molineux was getting bogged down and not getting singles so she played that shot that she did not need to play at all.

    Australia are losing patience.

  8. Ed Seabourne
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    ess Kerr of New Zealand celebrates with team mate Suzie Bates after taking the wicket of Sophie Molineux of AustraliaGetty Images

    Australia are continuing to try and force the pace and continuing to give catching opportunities.

  9. wicket

    WICKET

    Molineux c Devine b J Kerr 14 (Aus 239-7)

    Devine takes catch at long on boundary to dismiss Molineux for 14

    Well, well - that makes things interesting.

    Sophie Molineux holes out to Sophie Devine on the boundary.

    New Zealand needed that wicket but I'm not sure Molineux needed to go for that shot - Ash Gardner had already taken nine runs off the over.

  10. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    This is such good batting. Terrific game awareness from Ash Gardner and she knows how to execute well.

    What an innings this has been from her.

  11. Aus 230-6

    Ash Gardner skips down and sends Eden Carson over mid-off for four. Her timing and shot selection has been excellent.

    Smart strike rotation sees singles taken off the other five deliveries. Australia are running well.

  12. Aus 221-6

    Ash Gardner rarely looks happy with her own batting, frowning as she adds a single to her tally. Personally, I'd be quite content with 61 off 50.

    Sophie Molineux benefits from an overthrow to add another two to Australia's total.

  13. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    Sophie Devine of New ZealandGetty Images

    If Australia can go a run a ball here, they can get to 300. And if Ash Gardner can carry on the way she has, they may get close to 330 or 340.

    This game is still well poised.

  14. Aus 217-6

    This time, Sophie Molineux opts for defence, dotting out five deliveries from Eden Carson after Ash Gardner takes a single.

    15 overs remaining.

  15. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    That is a fabulous shot from Sophie Molineux. She hardly tried to hit it hard, everything was just perfect in it.

    Lea Tahuhu is just playing the wrong line again.

  16. 6 runs

    Aus 216-6

    Sophie Molineux gets off the mark in style, guiding Lea Tahuhu down the ground for four. Ash Gardner, at the non-striker's, had to jump out of the way. Applause all round in the Australia camp.

    And she finishes the over with a six, which is just out of reach of the fielder on the fine leg boundary. Lovely stuff.

    New Zealand's two best bowlers have been a bit expensive in the past two overs.

  17. Aus 205-6

    A rare loose over from Melie Kerr, who loses her line a bit. Ash Gardner cashes in, dancing down for a six and pummelling a leg-side delivery for four.

    13 off the over. 200 up for Australia.

  18. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    Ash Gardner of Australia celebrates her half centuryGetty Images

    Magnificent batting from Ash Gardner. She never needs to hit it hard it is just pure timing. That half century came in quick time as well.

  19. 6 runs

    50 for Gardner

    Gardner 'smashes' six over long off to bring up her half-century

    I think Ash Gardner may have taken offence to that wicket.

    She smashes Melie Kerr for a huge six down the ground to bring up her half-century off 43 deliveries. Boom.

  20. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on Test Match Special

    Tahlia McGrath was expecting something much shorter and therefore could not control it. Nicely bowled by Melie Kerr once again.

    This is exactly what this bowling pair was brought back in to do.