'Lanning's positivity brings out the best in those around her' – Rachael Haynes

Haynes scored 69* off just 40 deliveries after coming out to bat with Australia at a precarious 45/4 in 5.1 overs. Lanning supported her deputy with a 44-ball 56 as the two put on Australia's highest T20I partnership for the fifth wicket to take them past the finish line at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, September 29.

"Meg's a pretty good player to bat with. When you are walking out to bat and Meg's at the other end, it gives you a lot of confidence. She's such a free-flowing player – that makes it easy for the player coming in. Sometimes it's pretty amazing, some of the things she does. Her positivity brings out the best in those around her," Haynes said after the game.

Australia lost four quick wickets in their pursuit of the 162-run target set by New Zealand, but the counter-attacking efforts from Haynes and Lanning saw them finish the match in just 17.4 overs. Leigh Kasperek and Sophie Devine returned two scalps apiece for New Zealand, but the Australian duo was successful in nullifying the effect of the early wickets in the last 10 overs of the chase.

"All along, our run rate was pretty good, we just lost a few early wickets. There was some good bowling out there as well. It was nice to get a partnership at that point in time," said Haynes.

"We will continue to back our batting line-up, it's one of our strengths. We bat quite deep in our order and everyone who comes in, we want them to play with aggression and a positive style and intent."

After being put in to bat first, New Zealand toiled hard to put up a total of 162/5 in 20 overs. Wicket-keeper Katey Martin was excellent in her 34-ball 56*, while Bernadine Bezuidenhout played an important role with her unbeaten 13-ball 20*. The two smashed 36 runs in the last two overs, blitzing the Australian attack with three fours and the same number of sixes.

When asked if the White Ferns scored more than Australia expected them to, Haynes said, "Yes, I think so. Maybe just towards the end there. Having said that, there was some really good bowling upfront. Sophie Molineux, the young left-arm off-spinner, was outstanding.

"T20 cricket is all about momentum. It's just about carrying on from here now. There's a couple of things that we will tidy up with the ball and in the field but we look forward to Allan Border Field, which is a great batting track."