Clinical Australia crush New Zealand in Wellington
It was a clinical performance from the six-time Women's World Cup champions as they successfully defended 269/8 by bowling their opponents out for just 128 in the 31st over at Basin Reserve.
There were strong contributions from nearly every member of Meg Lanning's powerful side, with Ellyse Perry (68) and Tahlia McGrath (57) scoring valuable half-centuries and the returning Ashleigh Gardner (48* from just 18 balls) adding the finishing touches on a late Australian flurry with the bat.
M11 Match Highlights: New Zealand v Australia
But it was with the ball that the Australians really shone, as teenager Darcie Brown (3/22) ripped through the New Zealand top-order and Amanda-Jade Wellington (2/34) and Gardner (2/15) put the polish on an impressive team performance.
The result sees Australia regain their place at the top of tournament standings with three wins from as many matches, while New Zealand drop to fourth and remain in a battle to reach the semi-finals.
It was Perry that started the rot as she got one through the defences of skipper Sophie Devine (6) in the fifth over of the hosts' chase, before Brown thrust herself on the international stage with the big scalps of key batters Amelia Kerr (1) and Suzie Bates (16).
McGrath got in on the act to dismiss Maddy Green shortly after and the game was as good as over when Brown trapped Frances Mackay lbw for one to leave the White Ferns reeling at 35/5.
Experienced all-rounder Amy Satterthwaite (44) showed some fight for the hosts with a gritty knock, but it was left to too few as Australia eased home.
Highlights: Ashleigh Gardner with a big-hitting cameo to turn the match
Earlier, Perry and McGrath put on 101 for the fifth wicket as Australia overcame the loss of three early wickets and an inspired Lea Tahuhu (3/52) to post a respectable total.
It looked like Australia were going to be held to a below par score, but Perry and McGrath's acceleration during the middle overs and some lofty late blows from Gardner swung the momentum Australia's way.
Perry and McGrath's partnership was the key to Australia's innings and it took a piece of brilliance in the field from Maddy Green to break the valuable stand.
All-rounder Perry lifted Tahuhu into the deep, only to watch Green sprint to her left and haul in an excellent diving catch that got the good-sized crowd excited and onto their feet.
McGrath followed shortly after, before Gardner's late hitting - that included consecutive sixes off Hannah Rowe and four maximums in total - put some valuable extra runs on the board.
New Zealand XI: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amelia Kerr, Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Katey Martin, Hayley Jensen, Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Frances Mackay, Hannah Rowe
Australia XI: Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown