England beat New Zealand by seven wickets in women's T20 tri-series
- Published
Watch all England's boundaries as they thrash New Zealand
Women's T20 tri-series, The Brightside Ground, Bristol: |
New Zealand 129 (18.1 overs): Devine 52, Satterthwaite 37 |
England 130-3 (15.5 overs): Taylor 51, Sciver 39*, Knight 24* |
England won by seven wickets |
England warmed up for the women's Twenty20 tri-series final against New Zealand with a seven-wicket thumping of the White Ferns in Bristol.
The home side chased their target of 130 with 25 balls to spare, Sarah Taylor making 51.
They had bowled tightly and caught well to dismiss New Zealand for 129, despite 52 from Sophie Devine.
New Zealand earlier put themselves and England into the final with an eight-wicket defeat of South Africa.
When they meet on Sunday at Chelmsford, England are likely to start as favourites, having now won 12 of their past 13 completed T20s against New Zealand.
This latest victory was the result of a polished performance in the field to restrict a New Zealand side that chased 149 to beat South Africa with almost five overs to spare.
Jones' 'wonderful' catch dismisses Green
Amy Jones, twice, and Nat Sciver took excellent catches in the deep, while wicketkeeper Taylor made up for dropping Devine on only two by pulling off one her trademark leg-side stumpings to remove Jess Watkin.
Devine found some support from Amy Satterthwaite, who made 37 in a third-wicket stand of 59, but later ran out of partners.
The opener was the last to fall, held on the leg-side fence by Sciver to give Anya Shrubsole her third wicket as New Zealand left 11 deliveries unused.
England's reply got off to an uncertain start. Off-spinner Watkin had Danni Wyatt caught at mid-off from her first delivery in T20 internationals and, in Watkin's following over, Tammy Beaumont fell in identical fashion.
New Zealand, though, were unable to restrict the inventive Taylor, who played ramps, scoops and deflections in adding 81 for the third wicket with Sciver.
Though Taylor was stumped off leg-spinner Amelia Kerr, Sciver's unbeaten 39 took England home.
Women's T20 tri-series, The Brightside Ground, Bristol: |
South Africa 148-6 (20 overs): Tryon 35, Lee 25, Wolvaardt 25, Van Niekerk 25 |
New Zealand 151-2 (15.2 overs): Devine 68*, Bates 62 |
New Zealand won by eight wickets |
'Hopefully we've got rid of the catching bug' - what they said
England skipper Heather Knight on Sky Sports: "What pleased me was the way we adapted to the pitch. It was a bit slower today but our bowlers were outstanding. That was probably our best day in the field this summer, so hopefully we've got rid of the catching 'bug'."
New Zealand captain Suzie Bates on Sky Sports: "We were really disappointing with the bat, Jess Watkin did well but Sophie had no partnerships and not to use the 20 overs was criminal. We batted well on the same track this morning but overall it was a disappointing day."
Ex-England captain Charlotte Edwards on BBC Test Match Special: "Very comprehensive and very professional from England, the bowling and fielding was exceptional and it allowed the batters to chase the total down. The experience will stand them in good stead for the final on Sunday - and the World T20."