New Zealand White Ferns captain Suzie Bates has warned the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars to prepare for another tight tussle when the teams resume battle in the second T20 INTL at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
The home side claimed a thrilling four-wicket victory in Friday's series opener after Sarah Coyte hit the winning boundary off the penultimate ball of the match.
Having scored a competitive 7-145 after being sent into bat in muggy conditions, the Kiwis looked on target to take a 1-0 lead in the best of five series when the Southern Stars lost three late wickets before Coyte saved the day.
"Obviously it's always tough to lose like that and get so close but there's so much we can take out of today," Bates said.
"Katie Perkins on her debut did a good job with the bat and also Morna Neilsen in her first Twenty20 bowled really well."
"So it's disappointing but we've definitely taken a lot of positives out of today."
Asked what areas her side must improve in order to turn things around on Saturday, Bates replied: "I think with our batting we need someone in our top five to really kick on, 30s just aren't good enough and also with our bowling we just need to bowl six balls in good areas where I think we bowled too many boundary balls today."
"Tomorrow's a massive game for us, every game's big in this series but we want to get back to one-all and then the third game's anyone's again."
"They'll be looking to come out and beat us like they did today too but we're ready for it."
Southern Stars match-winner Jess Cameron, who smashed a blistering 59 off 41 deliveries, urged her team-mates to maintain the rage in Game 2.
"I'm very delighted with how we went, it's always a tough match against the Kiwis and to get across the line is always good," Cameron said.
"It's very important, momentum's a big thing in cricket and to get the first win on the board is always a pleasing start."
Cameron added of her own performance with the bat and the pivotal 77-run partnership with Alex Blackwell: "I knew when I was out there and when Meg (Lanning) just got out that we had such a good batting line-up that a wicket here or there's not going to really matter in this side.'
"I just had to keep going and work out how to get a partnership happening and fortunately enough we got one with Alex so it was good."
"It's always nice to hit the ball like that but then again Twenty20's a funny game so I've just got to keep going and hopefully I can do the same tomorrow."
