Australia shocked arch-rival New Zealand and levelled the Test series with an emphatic 48-44 victory in game two at Hisense Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday night.

After losing the first Test in Sydney 53-50, the Diamonds delivered an accomplished display across the court to square the series.

New Zealand came home strongly in the final quarter but had given the home side too big a lead as they chalked up their first win in Melbourne since 2004.

After a sluggish start proved costly in the opening Test the Australians showed their intent from the opening whistle in game two.

Goal attack Susan Pratley potted the opening goal and the side was never headed from that point, extending their lead at every break.

Vice-captain and centre Natalie von Bertouch was sidelined with a sternum injury for the first Test and her return gave the Diamonds’ midcourt some added authority and also allowed Kimberlee Green to return to wing attack, where she shone.

Australian coach Norma Plummer also decided to continue with skipper Sharelle McMahon at shooter rather than her usual goal attack.

Closely marked by Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams, McMahon at times looked a little frustrated by her inability to roam more of the court, however Pratley impressed in another opportunity at goal attack.

In front of a full house of almost 10,000, Australia held a three-point lead at the first break and by halftime it had blown out to 27-19, with McMahon slotting the final goal on the hooter.

Pratley was the main scorer in that period for the Diamonds, shooting 19 from 22 attempts while Silver Ferns shooter Irene van Dyk led their scoring with 15 goals from 17 shots.

By the final break the lead had blown out to 12 points with McMahon starring while turnovers proving costly for the visitors.

Showing their usual grit, the Kiwis fought back in the last quarter and began to peg back the lead, setting up a thrilling finale.

They got to within four points but had given the Aussies too much of a head start.

The third Test will be played in Brisbane on Sunday before two matches in New Zealand.

Van Dyk topped the scoring with 34 goals from 38 attempts at 89 per cent, with New Zealand’s other two shooters Maria Tutaia – who left the court with an injured calf – and Paula Griffin only managing 10 between them.

Pratley was on target with 78 per cent as she found the mark with 31 goals from 40 attempts while McMahon finished with 17 from 28.

Plummer was full of praise for Pratley and von Bertouch, but said the final quarter fade-out took the gloss off an otherwise strong showing.

“It disappoints me to think that we faded away like that because our defensive game the whole three quarters was fabulous.

“I just felt that the circle got bogged down and we weren’t able to do too much at all,” she said.

“Full marks to New Zealand, they came back really strongly and that’s what you know the Ferns are always going to do.”

Skipper McMahon said she was thankful for the third quarter start, when the Australians piled on nine goals to one.

“We were really positive going into halftime … then we really blew them out of the water and probably won the game then.

“It’s really exciting to have the win on the board for the team.”

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken said her team just failed to fire.

“It was really disappointing … we knew that the Aussies would come back strongly but we didn’t absorb it the way we needed to until the last lot, which was a little bit late.

© AAP 2012

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