New Zealand women beat England to lead one-day series 2-1

Priest's previous highest ODI score was 74, against West Indies last September

England were beaten by nine wickets by New Zealand in the third women's one-day international at Mount Maunganui.

Rachel Priest, with a career-best 96 not out, helped the White Ferns past their target of 218 with eight balls to spare. They now lead the series 2-1.

Heather Knight made 79, her highest ODI score, adding 71 for the first wicket with captain Charlotte Edwards (40).

Though Knight fell at 159-6 in the 41st over, a late flurry meant the tourists reached 217-9 from 50 overs.

New Zealand's opening partnership put on 66 before skipper Suzie Bates (39) was caught at mid-wicket off Anya Shrubsole.

Priest then shared an unbroken stand of 153 with Amy Satterthwaite (76 not out) and although Knight sent down 10 overs of miserly off-spin which only cost 18 runs, the rest of England's bowling attack were left frustrated as they failed to separate that second-wicket pair.

Earlier, after England slumped from 131-1 to 159-6, Katherine Brunt's breezy 26 from 24 balls, including a straight six off Sophie Devine, helped push the score past 200.

While two matches remain in the five-game ODI series, only the first three matches count towards the ICC Women's Championship, which determines qualification for the 2017 World Cup in England.

"It is disappointing to have only secured two Championship points from this round against New Zealand," said Edwards.

"International cricket is a testing environment and New Zealand have shown that they are a very strong side, and will be tough to beat at home.

"We are however still in a good position in the table, and everything will be to play for when we take on Australia as part of the multi-format Women's Ashes this summer."

Having played three games at Mount Maunganui, the teams now head to Whangarei for the first of three Twenty20 internationals on Thursday, before two further ODIs conclude the tour.

Top four teams automatically qualify for 2017 World Cup; bottom four will face six qualifying teams for the remaining four places

Heather Knight has passed 50 in five of her last nine ODI innings

Satterthwaite hit 76 not out after taking 3-37 in England's innings

Priest's 96 not out from 139 balls earned her the player of the match award