Australia held their nerve to beat New Zealand by seven runs and record a 3-1 victory in the Rose Bowl women’s one-day cricket series at North Sydney Oval on Wednesday.

The Southern Stars scored 9-267 after acting captain Alex Blackwell opted to bat first and New Zealand replied with 8-260.

New Zealand were well placed at 3-220 in the 43rd over but lost 5-34.

The White Ferns remained in the hunt until the final over, losing the crucial wicket of Nicola Browne (63 off 71) off the first ball of the 50th over.

NZ captain Suzie Bates (54 off 70) ended a prolific series with another strong innings, as did player of the match and series, Amy Satterthwaite (38 off 48)

Australian pace bowlers Ellyse Perry (2-44 off 10) Megan Schutt (2-43 off 10) and Sharon Millanta (1-67 off 10) claimed three vital wickets in the closing overs.

The Southern Stars were well-placed at 2-131 after 20 overs of their innings and slumped to 8-205 in the 39th.

Perry (33 not out off 30) marshalled the tail well, adding valuable runs with Schutt (14 off 22) and Millanta (15 off 15).

Jess Cameron (66 off 36) added substance to the innings, hitting seven fours and three sixes in her enterprising innings.

Rachael Haynes (32 off 28), Meg Lanning (38 off 35) Blackwell (23 off 46) and Lisa Sthalekar (22 off 36) all chipped in.

For New Zealand, Lea Tahuhu (3-47 off 10) and Satterthwaite (3-59 off 10) claimed most of the wickets, with the remaining three all the result of run-outs.