Lauren Bell. (Source – Getty Images)
Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 76* and Lauren Bell’s five-wicket haul ensured England’s 3-0 sweep of the ODI series against New Zealand, despite a significantly improved performance by New Zealand Women. Amelia Kerr led the tourists with a half-century, and England’s batting depth was tested for the first time in the series as Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold made early inroads in Bristol. The hosts had lost only three wickets in the first two matches but were 33 for 3 inside the powerplay due to rain delays that reduced the match to 42 overs per side.
Sciver-Brunt, who facilitated Maia Bouchier’s century in the previous match, produced a typically composed innings to lead England to victory. She and Amy Jones rescued England from 72 for 4 with a fifth-wicket partnership worth 90 off 86 balls. Jones posted a run-a-ball fifty as they lifted their side.
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Earlier, Bell’s five-wicket haul and Kerr’s fighting half-century added a competitive edge to the contest. Kerr’s 59 and her partnerships with Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday pushed their side to a respectable total, their best of the tour after being bowled out for 156 and 141 in the previous games. Bell’s 5/35 from nine overs kept the target manageable despite England’s top-order collapse.
In the first innings, Charlie Dean’s excellent throw from backward point removed Georgia Plimmer. Kate Cross, though expensive early on, took an excellent catch to get rid of Suzie Bates. Devine accelerated the scoring against England’s spinners but was bowled by Bell for 43. Kerr and Halliday forged a solid partnership, but both fell within three balls of one Bell over, leaving the White Ferns at 182 for 6. Bell and Sciver-Brunt combined to remove Izzy Gaze and Lauren Down, giving Bell her maiden international five-for.
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Sciver-Brunt’s eight overs, despite being wicketless, were her heaviest workload of the series, signaling her recovery from a knee problem.