Women break aggregate record

Leah Poulton made 81 from 97 balls in Australia's record innings total of 307 for four

Australia have levelled the Rose Bowl series 2-2 against New Zealand in a history-making afternoon for women's cricket in Hamilton.

Never before in 679 previous women's one-day internationals have two teams scored as many runs (570) in a single match as another powerhouse Australia batting display crafted a 44-run win.

Australia’s top-order all made significant contributions, with Lauren Ebsary (86 from 76) and Leah Poulton (81 from 97) well-supported by Shelley Nitschke (58 from 69) and Alex Blackwell (37 from 35) in a total of 307 for four.

New Zealand batted well and posted their highest score against Australia in reply but they were still well short of the target when dismissed for 263 in the 48th over.

"Scoring 300 in a match is something that we've been working towards as a team since the India series late last year," Australia captain Karen Rolton said.

"We made some good scores in that series but it's been fantastic to build on that and reach that goal today.

"Batting-wise, the main difference between the first two matches in this series and last two is that we've been able to put big partnerships together.

“We've also had some of the batters go on and get big scores, so while it would have been nice for someone to go on and make a hundred, the contributions allowed us to make big totals in the last two games.

"We've got to make sure now that we keep this form going in the final match on Thursday."

Lauren Ebsary top-scored for Australia with a quickfire 86 from just 76 deliveries in Hamilton

As well as setting the record for the most number of runs scored in a single match, the total was also Australia's third highest in history and the first time they had passed the 300-mark against a top four-ranked team.

It also shattered their previous record total against New Zealand of 260 for eight, which was set in Chennai in early 2007.

The match aggregate for runs scored eclipsed the 563 when England and New Zealand met in 2007.

Such was Australia's dominance with the bat that New Zealand captain Haidee Tiffen used nine bowlers - every player except herself and wicket-keeper Katey Martin - in an attempt to stem the flow of runs.

The bowling changes had no effect on Australia’s rhythm, however, as they marched relentlessly towards 300.

Although Amy Satterthwaite (67), Nicola Browne (45) and Sara Tsukigawa (45) batted strongly for New Zealand in reply, they couldn't maintain a mid-innings surge as late wickets ended the charge.

Emma Sampson returned to the Australia line-up and took 3-34 while the remainder of the wickets were evenly shared.

The deciding match in the Rose Bowl Series will be played in Wellington on Thursday.