England Women secured a convincing six-wicket victory over New Zealand Women in the third T20I of the five-match series at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, on Thursday. This win clinches the series victory for the home side with a 3-0 scoreline.
England restricts New Zealand for 141/8
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, New Zealand got off to a shaky start, losing opener Georgia Plimmer for a duck. However, skipper Suzie Bates anchored the innings with a steady 38 runs off 27 balls. Sophie Devine provided the spark lower down the order with a belligerent knock of 58 runs from 42 deliveries, including seven fours and two sixes.
Despite these contributions, England’s bowling attack, led by the spin of Sophie Ecclestone (4/25), restricted New Zealand to a modest total of 141/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Lauren Filer (2/17), Sarah Glenn (1/14) and Freya Kemp (1/38) also chipped in with crucial wickets.
England chase down the target with ease
In response, England openers faltered early with Maia Bouchier departing for a duck. However, Sophia Dunkley (35) and Alice Capsey (67 not out) put on a crucial 74-run partnership to steady the ship. Capsey, the Player of the Match, continued her fine form with a well-composed knock, including six fours and a six.
Player of the match: Alice Capsey 🥇#women #cricket #ENGvsNZ #AliceCapsey #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/cEQ8RJmi6n
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) July 12, 2024
Amy Jones (19) and Freya Kemp (16*) provided valuable cameos to ensure England chased down the target comfortably in 19.2 overs, losing just four wickets.
Also READ: Latest ICC Women’s Rankings
England defeated New Zealand by 6 wickets in the 3rd T20I 🏏
Scorecard: https://t.co/YuXz2gZ3tc#women #cricket #ENGvsNZ #englandcricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/nOucVnk5LY
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) July 12, 2024
“With a bowling attack we have got and the people on the sidelines waiting to come in it is a pretty easy job to chuck the ball to different people, so I’m happy I could keep the winning streak going,” England’s stand-in skipper Natalie Sciver-Brunt said in the post-match presentation.
“The last few overs were pretty nervy but the calmness they showed was pretty special.
“We don’t want to do it all the time but putting ourselves under pressure like that and then come out the other side, if we can take to the Bangladesh [for T20 World Cup], that would be perfect,” she added.
