Lanning, Perry guide Stars to emphatic win

A brilliant century from captain Meg Lanning has led the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars to an emphatic victory over New Zealand in the second one-day clash at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval.

After the Southern Stars failed to chase 203 in Saturday's first ODI, Lanning ensured it was a vastly different story the second time around on Monday, striking 114 from 113 deliveries to chase down the White Ferns' 9-206 with nine overs to spare and square the series with one match remaining.

She was ably supported by Ellyse Perry, who scored an 85-ball 64 as the Southern Stars cruised home with eight wickets in hand.

It continued a strong summer in the one-day format for Perry, who's last five innings have produced scores of 90, 31, 50, 51 and 64.

Lea Tahuhu gave the White Ferns hope when she removed opener Beth Mooney for five, but Lanning produced the sort of aggression that had been lacking from Australia's batting of late, striking three sixes and eight boundaries on her way to her seventh ODI century.

"We were really keen, chasing today like we did on Saturday, to show what we can do in that area," Lanning said after the match.

"We put a real focus on partnerships and someone batting through the innings, so once I got in I was keen to be that person.

"It was an emphasis on that and trying to take on the field and rotate the strike as much we can.

"Hopefully we can carry that into the next game as well."

The batting performance backed up Australia's tight performance in the field led by fast bowler Megan Schutt.

The South Australian's double-wicket maiden in the fourth over snared the key wickets of Rachel Priest and Amy Satterthwaite and left the hosts reeling at 2-5.

"We thought we could put them under pressure and get some early wickets," Lanning said of the decision to bowl first.

When Sara McGlashan was stumped by Alyssa Healy it became 3-33, however half-centuries from experienced pair Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine steadied the New Zealand innings and ensured they finished with a total  four runs higher than the 9-202 they successfully defended on Saturday.

Bates' 61 from 92 balls and Devine's 102-ball 67 provided the backbone of the White Ferns innings, backed up by a handy cameo from Katie Perkins (39 from 46).

Sara McGlashan (11) was the only other batter to reach double figures.

Schutt's outstanding performance saw her finish with 1-25 from her 10 overs, while Jess Jonassen was targeted early by the White Ferns batters but recovered to end her nine-over spell with career-best figures of 5-50. Sarah Coyte (1-32 off 10) was also economical.

Wicketkeeper Healy returned from a hamstring injury, while Coyte was also brought into the Australia XI, with Grace Harris and Rene Farrell making way.

Reserve 'keeper Beth Mooney's half-century on Saturday was enough for her to keep her spot as a specialist batter at the top of the order despite Healy's return.

The series decider will now be played at Bay Oval on Wednesday.

"We played 75 per cent of the first game well but then we fell away and let them back into the game," Lanning said.

"That hurt a bit, so we were very keen to bounce back and I couldn't be happier with how we went today.

"We're very keen to take the momentum from this game, hopefully this performance kicks us into gear and we can keep this going in the next game and really put our foot down."