New Zealand is currently touring England from June 26 to July 17 for a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series. England secured a clean sweep in the ODI series, winning 3-0. After a nine-wicket victory in the inaugural ODI and an eight-wicket win in the second, they concluded the series with a narrow five-wicket victory in the final match at Bristol.
The final match was delayed due to rain and reduced to 42 overs. Upon winning the toss, England’s skipper Heather Knight chose to field. New Zealand’s innings began with Susie Bates hitting a boundary, but in the sixth over, Georgia Plimmer was run out by Charlie Dean’s direct throw despite a diving effort. Amy Jones took a brilliant catch to dismiss Bates in the 9th over. New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr built a partnership of 68 runs before Lauren Bell dismissed Devine, who was just 7 runs short of her half-century. Bell had a standout performance, dismissing Kerr for 57 and taking three more wickets, including Brooke Halliday, Isabella Gaze, and Lauren Down, to complete her five-wicket haul. New Zealand posted 211/8 in their 42 overs. England faced early trouble with Tammy Beaumont getting dismissed in the first over by Hannah Rowe, who also claimed Knight in the 7th over. Amy Jones reached her 14th ODI century but was dismissed by Halliday. Nat Sciver-Brunt remained unbeaten with 76 runs, and Alice Capsey contributed 35 runs, helping England chase down the target with 20 balls to spare. Lauren Bell was awarded Player of the Match for her five-wicket haul, while Maia Bouchier was named Player of the Series for her contribution of 186 runs. England achieved a series victory over the White Ferns.
Highlights from the Match
🎥 Watch Highlights: 3rd ODI
• Lauren Bell’s 5/37
• Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 76* (84)#CricketTwitter #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/OlqdscXmRo— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 4, 2024
Amelia Kerr (NZ)- Amelia came one down in the sixth over after the wicket of Georgia Plimmer. She held one end, building partnership with Sophie Devine, and was dismissed before adding 57 runs in 82 balls, including five boundaries, before being dismissed by Lauren Bell by lbw dismissal in the 38th over, leaving New Zealand at 181/5. In the second innings, she claimed the wicket of Sophie Dunkley in the 16th over.
Lauren Bell (ENG)- The English pacer claimed her best bowling figures in ODIs during the third ODI. Although she didn’t scalp any wickets with the new ball, her first wicket came in the form of New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, who was dismissed for 43, breaking the 59-run stand between Devine and Amelia Kerr. Her second wicket was the well-settled Amelia Kerr, who scored 57, followed by Brooke Halliday. After dismissing Izzy Gaze and Lauren Down in the 40th and 42nd overs, respectively, she claimed her five-wicket haul and was named Player of the Match.
Amy Jones (ENG)- The English wicketkeeper-batter scored her 14th half-century in ODIs. She came to bat when England lost their fourth wicket for 72 while chasing 213 in the third ODI against New Zealand. She was involved in a much-needed 90-run partnership with Nat Sciver. She struck seven boundaries in her innings, scoring 50 off 50 balls, before being dismissed by Brooke Halliday, who also took two catches behind the stumps.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG)- Nat Sciver’s 76 in the third ODI against New Zealand helped England secure a whitewash against New Zealand. She came in to bat when England lost their second wicket in the form of their skipper Heather Knight, who was out for 29. Nat smashed eight boundaries throughout her innings, scoring an unbeaten 76 off 84 balls. She was involved in a 90-run partnership with Amy Jones, followed by a 50-run partnership with Alice Capsey, with England securing a 5-wicket win while chasing 213. She also took two catches in the field.
Maia Bouchier (ENG)- The English opener played a vital role in England’s whitewash over New Zealand in the three-match ODI series. The right-handed opener scored a total of 186 runs in the series, including a century in the second ODI. She smashed 67 off 50 balls at a strike rate of 134 in the first ODI when England was chasing a small target of 157. In the second ODI, she scored an unbeaten century, making 100 off 88 balls with 17 boundaries. Although she scored only 19 in the third ODI, she was named Player of the Series, finishing with 186 runs in the three-match ODI series.