Tiffen anchored her team with a patient half century

New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in the five-match women's one-day series in Whangarei after Australia subsided.

The Kiwis reached 50 off the opening 11 overs, but were restricted to 218-7, captain Haidee Tiffen unbeaten on 64.

Australia appeared to be coasting after captain Karen Rolton and Lisa Sthalekar built a fluent partnership of 113.

Sthalekar added 51 in as many balls with Jessica Cameron, but five wickets fell for 23 in the final five overs as the Australians fell four runs short.

After their useful start, New Zealand were pegged back a little in the middle overs, and the 100 did not arrive until the 30th over.

But having saved the batting powerplay for the final five overs, they added 41 in that time to record the sixth highest New Zealand total against Australia.

Lucy Doolan joined skipper Tiffen and hit an unbeaten 29 from only 17 balls.

The New Zealanders can secure the Rose Bowl with a win in the third match at Hamilton on Friday.

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