England wrapped up a 3-0 win in their ODI series against New Zealand with a five-wicket victory at Bristol
Lauren Bell took her first ever five-wicket haul in international cricket as England narrowly wrapped up a whitewash in their one-day international series. Despite the match being reduced to 42 overs a side due to a 95-minute rain delay, New Zealand had posted their highest total of the series – 211 for eight. But Bell’s interventions cut off promising innings from the captain, Sophie Devine, the half-centurion Amelia Kerr and the left-hander Brooke Halliday.
England then overhauled the total with five wickets to spare in spite of an early wobble, thanks to half-centuries from Amy Jones and Nat Sciver-Brunt – the latter unbeaten on 76, after New Zealand handed her a life at cover on 63, scuppering their chances of a face-saving dead-rubber win.The 23-year-old seamer Bell has had a difficult few weeks, forced into in-game experimentation thanks to the determination of the England coaches to add away-swing to her repertoire.
At Bristol, though, Bell looked back to her best – although, interestingly, she appeared to rely on her trusty stock favourites, in-swing and slower balls, to do the damage. First, she broke the rollicking 68-run partnership between Devine and Kerr by angling one in to the former, who foolishly tried to cut and edged on to her own stumps.
With the perennial wicket-taker Sophie Ecclestone rested, this was an interesting test for England, and while their fielding was as sharp as ever – Jones pouching two brilliant diving catches and Charlie Dean running out Georgia Plimmer with a direct hit from backward point – their batting was dozy at times.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bouchier hits first England century to clinch ODI series against New ZealandMaia Bouchier hit her first international century from 88 balls as England beat New Zealand by eight wickets to win the series
Read more »
Steve Borthwick’s England ready for a ‘test against the best’ in New ZealandFresh from victory in Japan, England have ‘incredible respect’ for New Zealand but love a challenge, the head coach says
Read more »
New Zealand face a discernible sense of nervousness before England visitAn absence of familiar names and a new head coach has cast doubt on the immediate outlook of the All Blacks before their Test series with England
Read more »
England bolster starting XV as Dan Cole benched for first Test in New ZealandExperienced props Joe Marler and Will Stuart selected in front row as Marcus Smith retains fly-half place to face All Blacks in Dunedin
Read more »
‘Embarrassing’ failure of New Zealand PM’s plane leaves officials stranded in Papua New GuineaDozens of New Zealand business leaders were stuck in Papua New Guinea, after another one of the country’s defence planes broke down
Read more »
New coach, new captain, new look team: can NSW halt Queensland’s one-way traffic?The Blues are entering a new State of Origin era under Michael Maguire but it will take a lot to dethrone a Maroons team that has winning in its blood
Read more »