White Ferns captain Amy Satterthwaite says the New Zealand team has some work to do if they're to compete with a professional team like Australia.
The Australians completed a clean sweep of the Rose Bowl one-day series with a seven-wicket win in last night's third and final match at Melbourne's Junction Oval.
The White Ferns after a loss to Australia Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The hosts restricted New Zealand to 231 for 8, then chased down their target with 13 balls to spare.
Satterthwaite said her side had shown glimpses of what they're capable off, but it hadn't been often enough to be competitive against a side like Australia.
"We've been competitive in phases and managed to push them a bit, which is positive, but I think we have to be realistic as well that we're playing a group of professional players and I think we've got a bit of work to do back home to ensure that we keep up with a group that's got full time to be able to train and play.
The White Ferns are not scheduled to play again until next January.
Sophie Devine (58), Amy Satterthwaite (49) and Katie Perkins (41) made starts for New Zealand but were unable to go on with them.
The destructive Devine celebrated reaching her 12th ODI half-century by blasting Ashleigh Gardner for six over the long-off boundary.
But Gardner soon had her revenge, trapping Devine lbw, while a super direct hit run-out by Jess Jonassen left Satterthwaite one run short of a 50.
The sustained pressure Australia were able to apply in the field was reflected by the tourists losing three batters to run-outs in the final 10 overs.
Legspinner Georgia Wareham also chipped in with two wickets.
Lanning shook off lacklustre performances in the opening two matches to post 48 in a comfortable run chase, while Ellyse Perry top scored with 54 not out.
Undefeated since losing to India in the group stage of the T20 World Cup - a defeat which proved to be a blip on the way to winning the trophy - Australia have dropped just two of 26 matches since the start of 2018.
Having wrapped up a gruelling summer of international and domestic commitments, they will regroup and prepare for the Ashes tour starting in July.
The hosts barely put a foot wrong in a clinical chase that began with Rachael Haynes and Alyssa Healy compiling an 84-run opening stand.
-RNZ / AAP
