The New Zealand White Ferns have gotten their ODI test series against Australia with a nerve racking final over win at Bay Oval Park, Mount Maunganui yesterday.

New Zealand lost the toss and were sent into bat but defended their 202/9, limiting Australia to 193 all out for a nine run victory.

Anchor Amy Satterthwaite was named player of the match after top-scoring for the her team with 72 off 88 balls.

It was a successful One-Day International debut for 20-year-old White Ferns Thamsyn Newton. Newton, who made her T20 International debut earlier this summer against Sri Lanka, took a wicket in her first over of ODI cricket, breaking Australia's 69-run opening partnership by getting Nicole Bolton caught by Satterthwaite as the Australians set off after New Zealand's tally. She then took the catch to dismiss Australian captain Meg Lanning for just five.

The fielding had improved as the pressure went on. After shelling valuable chances in the earlier part of the innings, New Zeland hauled themselves right back into contention with regular wickets, holding their nerve to reduce Australia from 104 for three to 193 all out.

Captain Suzie Bates had earlier looked superb as she closed in on a looming half century, but she had been dismissed in unlucky fashion on 43, run out at the non-striker's end when the ball deflected off the bowler's hand.

Bates came into her own at the death, taking the catch off Lea Tahuhu (3-34) for the key dismissal of Ellyse Perry (51) in the 49th over, before finishing the job in the last over by having Kristen Beams caught off her own bowling by Satterthwaite, for victory with two balls remaining.

Legspinner Erin Bermingham finished with 3-38, having operated in tandem with Morna Nielsen as the slow bowlers built the pressure. Like Newton, Nielsen took a wicket in her first over.

The win secures two ICC International Women's Championship points for New Zeland (joining the West Indies on 16 points, behind only Australia on 20 points.

The top four nations will qualify automatically for the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup); together with a 1-0 lead heading into tomorrow's second Rose Bowl ODI at the same venue in the three-match ODI series.

-Additional reporting Stuff