Devine Inspiration Seals Series For New Zealand

Devine Inspiration Seals Series For New Zealand

Sophie Devine scored runs and then took three wickets as New Zealand came from behind to beat England 2-1 in their T20 International series

©Action Images / Lee Smith

New Zealand Women 124-8 (Bates 26, Hazell 3-16) beat
England Women 115-8 (Edwards 19, Devine 3-14) by nine runs
Third Twenty20 International, Hove
Scorecard

Sophie Devine and Lucy Doolan took three wickets apiece to see New Zealand Women to a nine-run victory over England Women at Hove in the third and final Twenty20 International at Hove.

New Zealand Women batted first and made 124 for eight and by restricting England to 115 for eight they sealed the three-match series 2-1, having come from behind to win the final two matches.

No player from either side could get an innings of substance going but after a steady start, Suzie Bates (26) and Aimee Watkins (22) put on 50 for New Zealand's opening wicket to lay the foundations for their winning score.

Devine (23) and Nicola Browne (22) were the only other players to reach double figures as England took wickets in clutches, off-spinner Danielle Hazell impressing by taking three for 16 - her second consecutive three-wicket haul - and Nicki Shaw taking two for 26 on her return to the side in place of Anya Shrubsole.

After Browne dismissed Sarah Taylor for seven, Devine returned three for 14 by having Charlotte Edwards (19) and Claire Taylor (12) caught by Browne and then Laura Marsh caught by Kate Broadmore for six.

Jenny Gunn was then bowled by Broadmore, in the side in place of Maria Fahey, for three to leave England in desperate trouble at 52 for five.

There was no way back from there and despite cameos of 12 from Lydia Greenway, 16 from Danielle Wyatt and 15 not out in five balls from Katherine Brunt, the damage had been done and off-spinner Doolan completed figures of three for 26 by dismissing Greenway, Wyatt and Hazell (8).

After the game, England captain Edwards said: “The bowlers did their job, they bowled well, especially Danielle Hazell and Katherine. I’m obviously disappointed, we had plans in place and we came here to win today.

"We have a One-Day Onternational with Ireland and a game against the England Academy to focus on now, as we get back to fifty-over cricket, which suits us.”

The two sides begin the five-match One-Day International series in Taunton on 10th July, prior to which both teams take on Ireland in Kibworth with New Zealand playing on 4th July and England on 7th.

© Cricket World 2010

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