The New Zealand women's cricket captain Suzie Bates produced one of the best batting performances by the national side in many years as she helped her team to an emphatic start to the Rosebowl series against Australia.
The White Ferns scored an eight-wicket win in the first match at the SCG with Bates hitting a run-a-ball unbeaten 122 and Amy Sattertwaite 98 as the visitors chased down 249 with five overs to spare.
Bates' third career century included 16 fours and a six.
The Australian opener Meg Lanning, who also picked up a wicket with the ball, admits their total of 248 was always going to be tough to defend.
New Zealand now leads the four match series one-nil, with the second match to be played on Friday.
New Zealand last won the Rosebowl in 1999.
