Stars stumble against red-hot White Ferns

Half-centuries from Ellyse Perry and one-day debutant Beth Mooney were not enough to get the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars over the line in a thriller against the White Ferns on Saturday, with the hosts claiming a nine-run win in the first one-day international.

With Australia chasing 203 for victory at Mt Mauganui’s Bay Oval, a brilliant bowling effort from Lea Tahuhu (3-34) and leg-spinner Erin Bermingham (3-38) reeled in the tourists and handed the White Ferns a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.

Opener Nicole Bolton and Mooney, called into the side to cover for injured wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, gave the Southern Stars a solid start with a 69-run partnership, as Mooney scored 53 in an impressive start to her ODI career.

When she fell, the Southern Stars were 3-104 in the 27th over and still on track to reach their target, however, Perry was the only other batter to make a major contribution as Australia stumbled under the pressure of a disciplined New Zealand bowling display.

Quick single: Healy on the mend after hamstring strain

Perry was eventually dismissed for 51 trying to go big with only eight balls remaining and 12 runs required, before White Ferns skipper Suzie Bates wrapped up a nail-biting triumph with the dismissal of Kristen Beams.

"I thought we did quite well to restrict them to 200," Mooney said after the match.

"We let ourselves down a bit with the bat today which has been a bit of a common theme for us in the last few ODIs and T20s we've played.

"The run rate started creeping up and we panicked and we lost a few quick wickets and lost a few batters we shouldn't have lost at particular times.

"Obviously I got out at a crucial time as well and I acknowledge that. Hopefully we can move forward as a group."

Earlier, an impressive fight back from the Southern Stars bowlers restricted the White Ferns to 9-202.

New Zealand had looked on track for a total well in excess of 200 when they were cruising at 3-119 after 25 overs, but the efforts of off-spin pair Grace Harris (3-32) and Jess Jonassen (3-32) triggered a collapse that saw the hosts lose 6-83.

Bates helped the White Ferns overcome the early loss of Rachel Priest, scoring 43 before she was run out by a deflection off the fingers of Beams at the non-strikers' end, while Amy Satterthwaite continued her strong form from the Women's Big Bash League with a superb 72 from 88 balls.

Her departure courtesy of Harris proved the breakthrough the Southern Stars needed to curtail their trans-Tasman rivals, while the Australian allrounder also ensured little damage was done by danger woman Sophie Devine, who departed for four.

Wicketkeeper Mooney took two catches in her ODI debut, including a stunner to remove Sara McGlashan, as she stepped in to cover for Healy, who was ruled out due to a hamstring strain suffered during Australia's third one dayer against India on Hobart on February 7.

Mooney made her T20 debut for the Southern Stars against India last month, playing as an opening batter while Healy wore the gloves.

Australia will now have to win both remaining ODIs to ensure they keep their hands on the trans-Tasman one-day trophy, the Rose Bowl, which they have held since 1999.

Crucial points for the ICC Women's Championship are also on the line, with the Southern Stars eager to increase their lead at the top of the table.

The inaugural Championship started in 2014 and runs until the end of the year, with each country playing each other in three ODIs during the period.

Should the Southern Stars claim a series win over the White Ferns, they will be in a very strong position to take out the title, with two ODI series against Sri Lanka (away) and South Africa (home) to come later this year.

The second ODI will be played on Monday, also at Bay Oval.