Lanning fires in final World Cup warm-up

Meg Lanning has found touch ahead of the World Cup, scoring a run-a-ball 87 as Australia reached a monster 321 in a warm-up clash against hosts New Zealand.

The trans-Tasman rivals met under the cover of cloud in Lincoln, outside Christchurch, on Tuesday before the tournament starts this weekend.

While Lanning top-scored, Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney and Ashleigh Gardner - who belted 60 off 32 - also notched half-centuries in a sparkling batting performance.

Sent in by the White Ferns, Rachael Haynes (2) fell cheaply to bring Lanning to the crease.

The Australian skipper began as a support act to Alyssa Healy, who struck 64 off 71 in a superb start to the innings.

Healy played aggressor as Lanning lumbered to 20 off 42, seeking time at the wicket after a first-up failure in Sunday's warm-up against the West Indies.

The 29-year-old flicked the switch off Amelia Kerr's bowling, striking consecutive boundaries in one over, then roosting a six over long on and a one-bounce boundary to mid-wicket to reach her half-century.

Lanning offered chances as she accelerated - both Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates put her down on 51 and 60 - before a majestic pull for six off Lea Tuhuhu.

The party finished as she chased another boundary, sending one of Frankie Mackay's off-spinners to Hannah Rowe at cow corner.

While Tahlia McGrath didn't get started, caught for a duck when she didn't pick a rising Rowe delivery, Mooney kept Australia ticking along with a quickfire 55 off 51.

Gardner then sent the run-rate into the clouds, bashing four sixes and six fours as Australia surged to their massive tally.

Nicola Carey was caught on the boundary, leaving Australia all out with three balls to spare.

If the scratch match was an official fixture, it