A five-wicket haul from Jemma Barsby helped the Shooting Stars record a six-wicket victory over the New Zealand Emerging Players side at Blacktown Sportspark on Wednesday.
In the first clash of the four-match one-day series, Barsby's 5-12 from 7.5 overs helped dismiss the New Zealanders for just 90 in the 34th over.
And, Australia made short work of the chase as they reached 91 for the loss of just four wickets in 18.1 overs.
Although the run chase eventually proved an easy one for the Australian side, the match certainly did not appear a foregone conclusion earlier on as New Zealand's Emerging Players produced some quality batting to open their innings.
After Natalie Dodd fell cheaply for five, Madeline Green (35 off 57 deliveries) and Meg Kendal (20 off 46) helped take the score to a healthy 1-52 after 13 overs.
Luck did not appear on the Shooting Stars' side, either, as Kendal was dropped in the slips on 15 off Megan Schutt's (1-16) bowling.
But when Kendal was trapped in front by Gemma Triscari (1-24) in the 14th over, the wheels started falling off for New Zealand, even if Green took to Triscari's bowling somewhat in the 18th over as she struck two fours off the bowler.
But Green kept on losing partners down the other end as Katie Perkins (three) drove a full toss straight back to Barsby, who claimed a difficult catch to take the first of her five wickets.
Kate Broadmore (five), Hayley Jenson (zero) and eventually Green then all fell to Renee Chappell (3-11), while Barsby stepped up to claim the last four wickets as the New Zealand side's tail folded, the Kiwis losing their last seven batters for just 13 runs.
For Barsby, it was the first time she has taken a five-wicket haul while representing an Australian team, her previous best being 4-37.
The Australian chase may have been interrupted a little by having to take a lunch break when on 71, 20 runs shy of victory, but the hosts still cruised to victory on the back of Nicole Bolton and Beth Mooney both scoring 24.
Moma Nielsen was the best of New Zealand's Emerging bowlers, claiming 3-27 off nine overs.
First Posted 14 November, 2012 3:39PM AEST
