The relentless world leading Southern Stars are seeking a five-match sweep of South Africa and the perfect performance.

Wednesday’s nine-wicket rout of South Africa at North Sydney was Australia’s ninth straight women’s ODI cricket win and gave them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

The two remaining games will be played at Coffs Harbour, though they won’t count toward the ICC women’s Champions trophy, which Australia were presented with on Wednesday night.

At North Sydney, captain Meg Lanning scored 80 and opener Nicole Bolton 77 in an unbroken second wicket 161.

A target of 174 was achieved comfortably with 4.5 of the 32 overs left in a game shortened by a storm that delayed the start by over three hours.

Australia didn’t always have things their own way despite the emphatic victory margin. After the storm, they had to weather one on the field, as South African opener Liselle Lee bludgeoned seven sixes in scoring 102 off 89 balls.

“We’re still searching for the perfect game,” Bolton said. “The goal is very much a whitewash and we won’t take the next two games lightly at all. We’re here to win 5-0 and we want to continue momentum in this format and show everyone why we’re the number one team in the world.”

Lanning who was coming off an innings of 134 in the previous game, wasn’t happy with her knock on Wednesday, which was scratchy by her high standards.

Bolton was determined to build some personal momentum after her first half century of the series. “I’ll be looking to continue that on, not just being a one innings wonder,” she said.

What made Wednesday’s win more meritorious was the injury blows Australia suffered before and during the game.

Star allrounder Ellyse Perry was ruled out of the match with a groin injury. Another allrounder, Grace Harris, dislocated a finger in the warmup to the match and legspinner Krisiin Beams suffered an identical injury after it started.

Bolton expected to have a sore back on Thursday after a collision with wicketkeeper Lee.

“There might be a career in AFL for her moving forward,” Bolton quipped. “I think I was always going to be the one to come off second best.”