Australia maintain perfect start with clinical defeat of NZ

For most part, the clash between Australia and New Zealand - two of the pre-World Cup favourites - didn't quite live up to its top billing. New Zealand did what they could after posting a meagre total of 219 by making the chase seem as difficult as possible with their ground fielding and Amelia Kerr's deception. Eventually, Ellyse Perry (71 off 91) proved to be one classy opponent too many for them to curb as the defending champions extended their unbeaten start to the tournament to three games.

But while the result - a five-wicket win with eight balls to spare - may not have met the pre-game expectations in terms of how closely-matched these two sides can get, the plot of the game itself simmered throught the day, without exploding into action any time, as the Bristol cricket ground bathed in glorious sunshine.

The "win toss, win game" truism has never been a reliable indicator and Australia and New Zealand combined to prove that.