Australia Succumb To New Zealand

New Zealand: 205/10 (H Tiffin 57, A Satterthwaite 38)

Australia: 132/6 (J Fields 26*)

New Zealand were left singing in the rain at the North Sydney Oval after overcoming Australia in their opening World Cup match.

The White Ferns triumphed by 13 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method after bad weather finally forced the players off the field for the final time.

Australia were at that stage on 132 for six in the 33rd over chasing a target of 206 in the battle of the trans-Tasman rivals.

Jodie Fields (26 not out) and Ellyse Perry, who was unbeaten on 17, appeared to be setting the game up for a thrilling finish with an unbroken partnership of 32.

Opener Shelley Nitschke had given five-time winners Australia a good start in their run chase, hitting two fours and a six before falling for 27.

Skipper Karen Rolton also managed a maximum, as well as three boundaries in her 21 before becoming the second of three wickets for Kate Pulford.

Jessica Cameron (15) also got going before getting out, and the constant loss of wickets proved crucial for the hosts in the final reckoning.

New Zealand’s total of 205 had been built on a solid half century from right-handed opener Haidee Tiffen.

The 29-year-old faced 113 balls to compile 57, sharing a third-wicket partnership of 67 with Amy Satterthwaite, who made 38.

Suzie Bates and Sara McGlashan both contributed 29 but from 171 for three the innings fell away badly, the last seven wickets going down for 34 runs.

Although expensive, Perry picked up three for 40 in her six overs while there were two wickets apiece from the off spin of Erin Osborne and Lisa Sthalekar.

Australia’s victory hopes were hit throughout by rain and the reigning champions will hope to get their Group B campaign back on track when they face South Africa in Newcastle on Tuesday.