SYDNEY - Another fighting innings from Debbie Hockley in her 100th international wasn't enough as New Zealand relinquished the Shell Rosebowl to Australia with a six-wicket loss in the second one-day women's cricket international in Melbourne yesterday.
Hockley followed up her century in the first match on Sunday by topscoring with 66, but again her team-mates failed to support her as the New Zealanders produced just 166 for eight in sweltering conditions at Albert Park.
It didn't prove enough, with the efficient Australians, led by captain Belinda Clark, reaching the target with 3.4 overs to spare.
It was a bitter-sweet day for Hockley, who became the first woman to play 100 games for any country and was presented with an honorary black cap after the match.
With the temperature dial hovering between 35 and 40 deg C, the New Zealand bowlers toiled hard, none more than Helen Watson, who claimed two for 23 off 8.2 overs and was involved in a runout.
However, it took too long to make the initial breakthrough as Clark, with 78, and Lisa Keightley, who scored 49, compiled a 124-run opening stand.
After losing three wickets for 10 runs, Karen Rolton's 27 not out was enough to see the home side to victory and avenge last year's series loss in New Zealand. Australia won the first match by 13 runs.
"I think we've showed in both matches that once we get a couple of wickets we can put the Australians under pressure, but that first breakthrough is just taking too long to come," New Zealand selection panel convener Lesley Murdoch said.
"We've seen Debbie and Belinda dominate the series so far and that's historically the way in women's international cricket.
"We've got systems in place to improve the batting from others but we haven't seen it so far in this series."
Hockley and Kate Pulford put on 81 in 20 overs for the first wicket, with Pulford making 27, but the innings faltered after her dismissal.
Emily Drumm and Nicola Payne both took too long to make nine and seven respectively and it took a late 28 not out from Kathryn Ramel to bolster the score.
Pulford and Watson both performed well after coming into the side in place of Anna O'Leary and Paula Gruber.
The final match is at Junction Oval in Melbourne today.
- NZPA
Cricket: Hockley battles odds to no avail
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