The third ODI between England Women’s Cricket Team and New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team arrives with the series finely poised in England’s favour after the hosts edged a dramatic one-wicket victory in the opening encounter, while the second ODI was washed out. With England leading the three-match series 1-0, the Cardiff clash now carries major importance for both sides.
England will look to seal the series at home, while New Zealand will aim to level things and continue their strong ODI form from recent months. The first ODI at Chester-le-Street showed how thin the margins can be between these two sides, with momentum swinging repeatedly before England eventually crossed the line with just one wicket remaining.
Amy Jones
One player who has once again become central to England’s ODI setup is Amy Jones. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter continues to be one of England’s most dependable middle-order players, especially under pressure. Although Maia Bouchier’s half-century grabbed attention in the first ODI, Jones quietly played an important stabilising role during a difficult chase where wickets kept falling regularly. Her ability to rotate strike and absorb pressure remains vital for England’s batting depth. Jones has scored 2662 runs in 95 innings with an average of 32.46 with the best score of 129. If England lose early wickets again in Cardiff, Jones could once more become the backbone of the innings.
Charlie Dean
Another major player to watch is England skipper Charlie Dean, who has arguably been England’s most influential all-round performer. Dean led from the front in the opening ODI, producing a composed unbeaten 31 in a tense chase where England’s lower order had to survive immense pressure. Her partnership with debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman ultimately guided England home in one of the closest women’s ODIs of the year. She has 540 runs in 34 innings with the best score of 47* and has claimed 86 wickets in 53 innings with best figures of 5/31. Her leadership during pressure moments in the series opener also drew praise, with England recovering from several fielding mistakes and batting collapses to still take a 1-0 lead.
Freya Kemp
The third England player worth closely watching is Freya Kemp, whose role as a genuine all-rounder adds flexibility to England’s XI. Kemp looked in good touch during the first ODI before being run out for 30 at a crucial stage of the chase. Her innings included positive strokeplay at a time when England desperately needed momentum after losing wickets in clusters. Over the past two years, Kemp has steadily grown into England’s white-ball setup with impactful cameos and disciplined seam bowling. Freya Kemp has taken 6 wickets in 4 innings. Against New Zealand specifically, she has already shown she can shift momentum quickly, including aggressive finishing performances during previous white-ball meetings between the two nations.
With the series on the line, England will again rely heavily on experienced match-winners alongside their emerging young core. Amy Jones brings composure, Charlie Dean offers leadership and all-round impact, while Freya Kemp provides balance and energy in pressure situations. If all three deliver together, England will strongly fancy their chances of sealing another ODI series victory over New Zealand.
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