Cricket: Australia hammer White Ferns by seven wickets in opening Rose Bowl clash

Australia have hammered the White Ferns in the opening clash of the Rose Bowl one-day international series. 

New Zealand's hopes were high following their win in the final game of the T20 series last week, but they never threatened the world's No.1 short-form cricket side. 

Brisbane's Alan Border Field supplied a slow wicket for the two trans-Tasman rivals, with Australia's spinners restricting the White Ferns to just 180.

Backed by skipper Meg Lanning's 62, the hosts wrapped up a comfortable seven-wicket victory with 98 balls to spare. 

The win, Australia's 19th consecutive in ODI's shows why the green and golds are the favourites for the 2022 Cricket World Cup, which is set to be hosted in New Zealand. 

The White Ferns batters were insipid throughout their innings, save for Katie Perkins (32) and Maddy Green (35), who rescued New Zealand from embarrassment, adding 62 for the seventh wicket.

Spin twins Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux suffocated the White Ferns vaunted top-order combination of Amy Satterthwaite (1), Suzie Bates (14) and Sophie Devine (11) as New Zealand collapsed to 83/6 in the 28th over.

Eventually, New Zealand were bowled out with five balls to spare, setting a below-par target that was always unlikely to threaten Australia.

Rosemary Mair took a pair of wickets, claiming Beth Mooney (16) and Alyssa Healy (26), while Hayley Jensen snared Rachel Haynes (44).  

But Lanning remained in control throughout the chase, steering her side through to a commanding win. 

Game two is on Monday.