Captain Alyssa Healy made a successful return as Australia triumphed over New Zealand in a rain-hit second ODI at Basin Reserve, with Annabel Sutherland smashing her second consecutive century.

After the series opener was washed out on the same ground, Sutherland steadied Australia's innings following a mid-innings wobble in seaming conditions, finishing unbeaten on 105 from 81 balls. Healy, playing as a specialist batter, contributed 34 off 32 balls at the top of the order, while Beth Mooney took the gloves during New Zealand's innings.

Sutherland, fresh from a commanding 110 in the final ODI against India at the WACA, became the first batter to score consecutive ODI centuries from No. 5. She made the tough batting conditions look easy, lifting Australia to 291/7.

New Zealand faced a steep challenge in chasing down the second-highest total in ODI history. Debutant Bella James started strongly, showcasing her power by hitting seamer Megan Schutt for six. However, her opening partner Suzie Bates fell to a quick Kim Garth in the sixth over, caught by Ashleigh Gardner in the gully, after some uncertainty about the low catch. James' breezy 27 off 33 balls ended on the last ball of the powerplay when she was caught by Alana King at midwicket.

When captain Sophie Devine was dismissed cheaply, New Zealand slumped to 60/3 in the 16th over. Their only hope for a miracle was the looming inclement weather. The rain arrived in the 31st over, with New Zealand at 122/5, well short of the par score, and play was called off, giving Australia a 14th straight ODI victory over New Zealand.

Australia's winning streak continued, following their 3-0 series whitewash against India. Despite favorable bowling conditions after Devine elected to bowl, New Zealand failed to capitalize, with poor fielding and dropped catches proving costly. James, known for her safe hands, dropped three catches, including a tough chance when Sutherland was on 26. Additionally, Jess Kerr's missed catch at mid-off when Sutherland was on 67 and Molly Penfold’s dropped return catch at 67 deprived New Zealand of key wickets. Penfold finished with 4/46, a career-best ODI performance.

New Zealand’s hopes of qualifying directly for the 2025 World Cup are now in jeopardy, as they sit in a precarious sixth place on the Women's Championship table.

The match began with all eyes on Healy, who made her return after a long injury layoff, having ruptured her plantar fascia during the T20 World Cup and later missing the India series due to a knee injury. Opening with Phoebe Litchfield, Healy, who has a century on debut, struck an early boundary off Rosemary Mair. She looked in good form, scoring 34 of Australia's first 41 runs, but was dismissed after mistiming a short delivery from Penfold.

Litchfield and Perry struggled as the innings faltered, with Penfold picking up two key wickets. But Sutherland and Gardner rebuilt, contributing a 50-run partnership. Gardner, in good form after a recent half-century, attacked the spinners until she was bowled by Eden Carson.

Penfold, frustrated by the fielding lapses, took the wicket of Tahlia McGrath before Sutherland took over in the final stages, punishing New Zealand’s sloppy fielding. She struck two sixes off Carson, reaching her century off 78 balls in the final over and finishing with a boundary.

Sutherland’s remarkable rise in international cricket continued, sealing Australia’s victory in dominant fashion.