The White Ferns extended their run of losses in T20 internationals to 10 matches after Australia beat them by five wickets to take a clean sweep of their three-match series in Brisbane last night.
The White Ferns set a total of 146-6 which Australia managed to chase down inside the final over with five wickets remaining to hand the Kiwis another loss heading into the T20 World Cup in the UAE.
The T20 World Cup is set to start in just over a weeks' time with the two sides set to meet again on October 9.
"I think there's some really positive signs for this group moving forward, especially heading into a World Cup," said White Ferns captain Sophie Devine.
"It's always disappointing losing like that but full credit to Australia, they outplayed us in all facets across the series."
The Kiwi side chose to bat first and it was a standout performance from opening batter Georgia Plimmer, who raised her bat for the first time in her career, reaching 53 off 48 balls.
"I want to give a huge shout out to Georgia for scoring her first 50 against the world's best team, I think that should set her on her way because she's been plugging away for a while now.
"We've got to be really strategic, we don't have the same level of depth that some other countries do, and we really see a lot of potential in Georgia and you can't just chop and change, we've been there and done that."
Melie Kerr was the next best scorer for the White Ferns, hitting 40 off 36 deliveries, and helped the White Ferns reach a 73-run stand for the third wicket.
However, after Plimmer and Kerr were dismissed, none of the Kiwi batters really got going, something that had plagued the side all series.
Maddy Green made a small cameo, hitting 12 not out off five balls in her 100th T20 match.
"I think when we batted first we set some really good platforms, it's just about how we can kick on and use that momentum to post some bigger scores," Devine said.
Australia's power in the middle order proved to be the difference with Georgia Wareham racing out to 26 off 16 balls.
Ellyse Perry scored 36 and Ashleigh Gardner 33.
The wicket taking was spread evenly among the White Ferns bowlers with Eden Carson the standout with figures of 2-29.
Their preparation continues for the T20 World Cup with warm-up matches against South Africa and England in Dubai, before they take on India in their tournament opener on October 5.
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