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The Australian women's cricket team has history in their sights after claiming a series-clinching, four- wicket ODI win over New Zealand in Brisbane on Monday.
A century by captain Meg Lanning has steered the Australian women's cricket team to a remarkable 20th straight ODI victory and a shot at making history.
Lanning struck an unbeaten 101 off 96 balls as Australia claimed a four-wicket, game two win over New Zealand in Brisbane on Monday.
It ensured Australia retained the Rose Bowl trophy - the trans-Tasman ODI crown - which they have held since 2000.
After the White Ferns made 9-252 at Allan Border Field, Lanning overcame a hamstring tweak to notch her 14th ODI ton while vice-captain Rachael Haynes struck 82 off 89 to help steer Australia to 6-255 in the 46th over.
Now Australia can make history with another victory in Wednesday's game three.
They can equal the ODI record of 21 consecutive wins held by Ricky Ponting's Australian side of 2003 with a series whitewash.
And they will be quietly confident after backing up their seven-wicket win in the series opener by reeling in the biggest total of their impressive streak that started in early 2018.
Lanning later dismissed her hamstring niggle and confirmed she would play on Wednesday when Australia looks to re-write history.
"We haven't spoken about the record as a group. Obviously we are aware of it," Lanning said.
"It's a nice position to be in. But Wednesday we will be out to win the game like we usually do - hopefully we can finish the series well."
Lanning put on a 117-run second wicket stand with Haynes before spinner Amelia Kerr (3-47 off 10 overs) threatened to turn the match on its head.
She trapped Beth Mooney leg before for six before dismissing Sophie Molineux (14) and form batter Ashleigh Gardner in successive balls to have Australia reeling at 5-196 in the 36th over.
But Lanning held her nerve in a superb knock that featured nine fours and three sixes including a boundary to bring up the winning runs.
The White Ferns' hopes of stopping Australia were dealt a blow when strike seamer Lea Tahuhu (0-26 off 2.4 overs) broke down with a lower back complaint in the 13th over.
Earlier, skipper Sophie Devine (79 off 115 balls) and veteran No.3 Amy Satterthwaite (69 off 73) helped New Zealand post 9-252 after being sent in despite a late collapse.
The White Ferns were cruising at 1-168 in the 39th over before Jessica Jonassen (4-36) helped apply the brakes, taking three wickets in her 10th and final over.
Molineux (2-49) and seamer Megan Schutt (2-54) also impressed as the visitors at one stage lost 5-2.
Devine elevated herself to opener in the absence of destructive batter Suzie Bates (shoulder) and posted her highest ODI score against Australia.
