Shock Discovery That White Ferns Tail-enders Can Bat – As England Women Snatch ODI Series Win 2-0 [New Zealand Tour – Second ODI, Dunedin (University Oval) on 26 February 2021]
As seen live on BT Sports TV and website Live Cricket Australia, England Women made a fine start by removing all three of the White Ferns’ so-called ‘world-class players’ inside the first 14 overs. Extolling three world-class players – Captain Devine (6), Amy Satterthwaite (13) and Amelia Kerr (2) ; certain NZ sports columnists previously reported that no one else can bat.
*On the day White Fern bowlers proved that when needed, they could do just as well! With all three world-class players back in the hutch, Captain Knight continued with relentless seam bowling from one end and spin from the other. As before, newbie Brooke Halliday (60) offered stubborn resistance, whilst bowlers-turned-batters Hannah Rowe (29*) and Jess Kerr (28) added nearly thirty runs apiece as tail-enders.
*During the first twenty overs, England’s pace attack peppered the White Ferns with ‘dot’ balls. Both openers were dismissed by Katherine Brunt’s (2/34) first two overs. Natalie Dodd (2) was bowled; and Hayley Jensen (0) newly promoted from her number eight spot, was caught behind for a second-ball duck. At the opposite end, Natalie Sciver (3/26) dismissed two of the three world-class players: Amelia Kerr (2) was bowled; and Sophie Devine (6) was caught by Tash Farrant.
*The next four overs from Kate Cross and Tash Farrant were equally unplayable. Again, over half of all balls were ‘dots.’ Crucially, Amy Jones took a second catch keeping wicket, handing Cross credit for dismissing Amy Satterthwaite (13) as the Fern’s third word-class player. Only Brooke Halliday (60) stood-up, forming productive partnerships with tail-enders until she too was caught behind by Amy Jones, handing Natalie Sciver her third decisive wicket. Unusually Sarah Glenn’s (2/37) spin took two wickets whereas Sophie Ecclestone remained wicketless – held in reserve.
*England’s reply got off similarly to a shaky start when opener Dani Wyatt (0) was clean bowled by Jess Kerr (1/23) for a second ball duck. Also, Captain Heather Knight (8) was run out by her opposite number (Captain Sophie Devine). Tammy Beaumont (72*) carried her bat undefeated, forming partnerships firstly with Natalie Sciver (63) who belted five ‘fours’ and one ‘six’ (adding to her earlier three-wicket haul). Tammy Beaumont’s second partnership with Amy Jones (46*) advanced the score by 39 runs during the final six overs to snatch victory from their hosts.
ODI Result – England Women beat New Zealand Women by 7 wickets. England win the three match series 2-0.
New Zealand Women 192 (49.5 overs) Brooke Halliday 60, Hannah Rowe 29*, Jess Kerr 28; Natalie Sciver 3/26, Katherine Brunt 2/34, Sarah Glenn 2/37, Kate Cross 2/23; Fow 2/1, 9/2, 21/3, 27/4, 34/5, 76/6, 124/7, 137/8, 190/9, 192/10 England Women 194/3 (37.4 Overs) Tammy Beaumont 72* Natalie Sciver 60, Amy Jones 46*; Brooke Halliday 1/18, Jess Kerr 1/23 Fow 1/1, 2/12, 3/115,
Match highlights https://live.cricket.com.au/match/2750/50180/new-zealand-women-vs-england-women-new-zealand-v-england-odis—women’s/highlights
NZ Women scorecard https://live.cricket.com.au/match/2750/50180/new-zealand-women-vs-england-women-new-zealand-v-england-odis—women’s/scorecard
England Women scorecard https://live.cricket.com.au/match/2750/50180/new-zealand-women-vs-england-women-new-zealand-v-england-odis—women’s/scorecard
Next match
Final (third) Womens ODI match takes place in Dunedin (NZ South Island) on 28 February
