New Zealand defeats Australia by nine wickets in Women's Cricket World Cup warm-up match

Led by captain Sophie Devine's sparkling 161 off 117 deliveries, New Zealand has pulled off a staggering run chase to topple Australia by nine wickets and boost the hosts' morale heading into the Women's Cricket World Cup.

Just two days after losing to world number eight Pakistan, the White Ferns easily hauled in Australia's 321 in Lincoln in their warm-up match on Tuesday.

Devine put on a masterclass, plundering boundaries off eight Australian bowlers, before hitting the winning runs for a superb New Zealand victory with 41 balls left.

«She definitely had a day out … probably could have got 200 to be fair. She still had seven overs,» Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes said.

There was plenty to like in Australia's batting, with captain Meg Lanning (87 off 86 balls) finding form and Alyssa Healy (64 off 71), Beth Mooney (55 off 51) and Ashleigh Gardner (60 off 32) also making half-centuries.

But the Australian bowling attack was found wanting in an alarming sign just four days from their tournament opener with reigning champions England.

The New Zealand-Australia match was an unofficial fixture, with both sides naming more than the allowed XI to give more of their squad a taste of conditions leading into the World Cup.

If the ICC accepted the scorecard, New Zealand would have completed the greatest ODI run chase of all time — and against the world's number one side.

Devine shared a 119-run opening stand before Suzie Bates (63) holed out to Grace Harris off Alana King's leg spin.

That would be Australia's only wicket, with Amelia Kerr (92 off 75) then combining with her Devine to put on 206 off 141 deliveries.

Earlier, Lanning regained her scoring touch after a failure in Australia's first warm-up match on Sunday against West