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Slick New Zealand Level Series With Four-Run Win

Thursday 1 July 2010

©Action Images / Paul Harding Livepic

New Zealand Women 147-8 (Bates 68, McGlashan 47) beat
England Women 143-8 (S Taylor 73, Ruck 3-15) by four runs
Second Twenty20 International, The Rose Bowl

A clean-hitting partnership of 105 between Suzie Bates and Sara McGlashan, backed up by a fine performance in the field, set up a four-run win for New Zealand Women over England Women in the second Twenty20 International at The Rose Bowl.

Although their innings faded after Bates and McGlashan were dismissed, New Zealand still reached 147 for eight and that proved to be enough, despite Sarah Taylor's half-century, as England closed on 143 for eight.

Bates, who hit 68 in 55 balls, and McGlashan, who made 47 in 33, came together early when Aimee Watkins (5) hooked Katherine Brunt into the hands of Danielle Wyatt and they dominated the bowling with clean striking and superb placement. The more powerful Bates hit eight fours and two sixes while McGlashan weighed in with three fours and a huge maximum that brought up the century partnership, from just 71 balls, into the stands at midwicket.

New Zealand then lost seven wickets for 32 runs in 31 balls as England fought back with off-spinner Danielle Hazell returning figures of three for 19 and Brunt, Holly Colvin and Anya Shrubsole finishing with a wicket apiece.

In reply, England lurched to 29 for four as Charlotte Edwards was run out without scoring and a fine exhibition of swing bowling from Sian Ruck accounted for Claire Taylor, who was bowled for two, Laura Marsh, who was caught by Lucy Doolan for nine and Lydia Greenway, who was trapped in front for nought.

Sarah Taylor then formed a partnership worth 80 with Jenny Gunn (24) for the fifth wicket to take England past 100 and keep them in the game, the wicket-keeper striking six fours in her 66-ball innings.

However, a double blow from Amy Satterthwaite to remove Gunn and Wyatt two balls later took the wind from England's sails and Taylor's run out in the penultimate over left Colvin and Brunt with 13 to win from the final over.

Sophie Devine held her nerve and bowled six excellent deliveries from which the batters could manage just eight to hand New Zealand the win and ensure that the series moves on to Hove tomorrow (2nd July) all square following England's 37-run win at Chelmsford in the opening match.

Ruck's left-arm swing earnt her figures of three for 15, Satterthwaite took two for 17 and Doolan one for 33.