The defending champions of the Women’s ODI World Cup showed exactly why they won the cup when they brushed past New Zealand to take an unassailable lead in the 3 match ODI series. After beating the White Ferns by 8 wickets in the 1st ODI at Christchurch, England created a feeling of déjà vu when they defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets.
History repeated itself when New Zealand captain Sophie Devine won the toss and decided to bat first, a decision which backfired today as well. In their essay, New Zealand put up a slightly better performance as compared to their last match, this time getting bowled out for 192 runs in 49.5 overs. Natalie Dodd didn’t have the best of starts in this match too as Katherine Brunt picked up her wicket cheaply yet again.
The law of averages caught up with Hayley Jensen who got out for a duck in the very first over of the match. The New Zealand middle order could not arrest the slide and all the batters got out cheaply before the start of the last match – youngster Brooke Halliday, scored her second fifty in as many matches. She, along with the lower order batters Hannah Rowe (29) and Jess Kerr (28), took the innings to a lot better score than what one would have anticipated with half the team back in the dressing room with the score of just 34.
England bowlers, led by Natalie Sciver (3-26), put up a bowling masterclass by being economical, bowling in the right areas, and picking up wickets at regular intervals. Katherine Brunt and Sarah Glenn picked up 2 wickets each to round off a good bowling display for the visitors.
In reply, England’s Danni Wyatt got a duck but just like the previous match, Tammy Beaumont stuck around scoring an unbeaten 72 to ensure the innings progressed without any further hiccups. Sciver translated her golden day with the ball into a scintillating knock with the bat (63). To wrap things up for the visitors, Amy Jones hit the winning runs and ended up with 46*.
With the series lost, the New Zealand team will have to play for pride in the last match, which will be held at the same venue- Dunedin, and ensure that they aren’t whitewashed in the series.
Brief Scores –
England women 194-3 (Beaumont 72*, Sciver 63; Jess Kerr 1-23) beat New Zealand women 192-10 (Halliday 60, Rowe 29*; Sciver 3-26) by 7 wickets.
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