Lanning's lead act a familiar tune

Hand Meg Lanning a do-or-die situation and the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars skipper will respond with a match-winning performance, it seems.

With the Rose Bowl on the line and the Southern Stars staring down the barrel of their first ODI series defeat to New Zealand since 1999, Lanning produced one of the best innings of her career to steer her team to an emphatic eight-wicket win.

Coach Matthew Mott had appealed for his batters to play more positively after Saturday's disappointing defeat on the first ODI and it was Lanning who answered the call.

Quick Single: Lanning, Perry guide to Stars to emphatic win

After Australia failed to chase 9-202, Lanning's 114 from 113 balls led her team to their target of 207 with nine overs to spare.

The 23-year-old led provided the perfect example of the type of attacking, aggressive performance the Southern Stars had sorely needed, squaring the series with one game left to play.

It also continued her habit of producing the goods when her team need it the most.

Last year in England, Lanning's sixth ODI ton levelled the Women's Ashes after a defeat in the opening game of the series.

On that occasion, she scored 104 and joined with Ellyse Perry (48) in a 132-run stand that was backed up by a superb bowling display from fast bowler Megan Schutt.

On Monday, it was the same protagonists in action, with Perry (64) joining with Lanning in an unbeaten 147-run stand, following Schutt's fiery spell of 2-25 that included a double-wicket maiden.

"We were really keen, chasing today like we did on Saturday, to show what we can do in that area," Lanning said after the match.

"We put a real focus on partnerships and someone batting through the innings, so once I got in I was keen to be that person.

"It was an emphasis on that and trying to take on the field and rotate the strike as much we can.

"Hopefully we can carry that into the next game as well.

"I got a little lucky early with Morna Nielson (with a close stumping call) but I thought I got off to a good start scoring at a run a ball early and then I found myself scoring relatively easily.

"I wasn't playing any really big shots, (just) shots that came naturally, but I was very happy to be able to see the side home."

There were other positive signs at the top of the order on Monday. Beth Mooney only scored five, but was full of intent from the quick single she ran first ball, while Nicole Bolton struck three boundaries in her 25.

Lanning's century also served a timely reminder of the extraordinary statistics she has racked up in just five years of international cricket.

She has now moved to third on the list of female ODI century-makers, trailing only current England captain Charlotte Edwards (nine centuries from 180 innings), and England batter Claire Taylor and Australian great Karen Rolton (eight apiece, from 120 and 132 innings respectively).

Lanning's seven tons? They've come in just 44 ODI innings.