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Australia complete ODI series clean sweep as New Zealand sag to 20-year low

Australia's women have completed a clean sweep of their three-match ODI series against New Zealand after half-centuries from Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield set the visitors up for their 75-run win.

In a career-best performance with the bat, Gardner top-scored for Australia with 74 off 62 balls and Litchfield notched 50 off 59 balls.

Annabel Sutherland and Alana King finished the best of the bowlers with three wickets a piece.

With the result, Australia retains the Rose Bowl with a 2-0 series victory.

The Australian team poses with the Rose Bowl trophy after its ODI series against New Zealand. Hagen Hopkins via Getty Images

The series opener was abandoned because of poor weather before the second ODI was called because of rain and lightning.

After Australia was sent in to bat in the series finale at Wellington's Basin Reserve, White Ferns leg-spinner Amelia Kerr did the most damage with figures of 4-54 from 10 overs.

New Zealand's bowlers produced 33 wides across Australia's innings — the most the side has leaked in an ODI match since 2004.

Openers Alyssa Healey (39) and Litchfield got Australia off to a strong start, combining for an 88-run partnership before Kerr began working her way through the order.

Healey and Ellyse Perry (14) were the first to go after they were both bowled over by the Kiwi.

Litchfield and Beth Mooney (2) both fell victim to seamer Rosemary Mair, leaving the visitors in a dangerous position at 4-127 in the 22nd over.

However, Gardner and Sutherland (42) soon steadied the ship with a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Australia complete ODI series clean sweep as New Zealand sag to 20-year low

Ashleigh Gardner brings up 50 during game three of the women's ODI series between New Zealand and Australia. Hagen Hopkins via Getty Images

A caught and bowled to White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine dismissed Sutherland before the removal of Tahlia McGrath saw Australia's tail exposed.

Gardner went on the counterattack but her innings eventually ended at the hands of Kerr.

Alana King (9) was trapped on the pads in the following over to complete Kerr's destruction.

Chasing a record 291-run target to secure their first ODI victory over Australia in over seven years.

Taking on the chase, opener Suzie Bates was the top scorer for New Zealand with 53 runs from 59 balls.

Sutherland saw off Bella James and Suzie Bates before later removing Izzy Gaze.

Australia complete ODI series clean sweep as New Zealand sag to 20-year low

Annabel Sutherland makes an appeal. Hagen Hopkins via Getty Images

King came alive in the 36th over, removing Brooke Halliday and Lauren Down.

Coming back into the attack she removed Rosemary Mair before running out Molly Penfold.

Following the victory, Sutherland was named both player of the match and player of the series. This followed the all-rounder's stirring century in the second ODI.

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