Source: ECB

‘White Ferns’ Beat England To Keep ODI Series Alive

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England Women vs New Zealand W 3rd ODI at Leicester on 21st September

Receiving POTM ‘Royal London’ medal, ‘Ferns’ Maddy Green hit top score 70*not out, also chalking-up her 1st international ‘fifty.’

Green told Charles Dagnall that she had had to see things through (to a conclusive end.) Winning skipper Sophie Devine told Dagnall that her ‘White Ferns’ had successfully ‘bowled England out.’ Also, it was nice to ‘watch her team close the gap on England.’

‘Ferns’ Lea Tahuhu hit the winning ‘six,’ to keep the series alive with two matches remaining. Earlier Tahuhu took five England wickets, bowling a match-winning ‘Five-fer’ (5/37).

*Broadcast live on SKY Sports TV, Youtube, commentators included Charles Dagnall, Adam Collins (NZ), Ebony Rainford Brent, Lydia Greenway, Charlotte Edwards and Mark Butcher. Also broadcast via cricket social media (Valkerie Baynes for ESPN-cric-info.)

*Match went ahead despite an overnight security threat.

*Before the match, ‘Ferns’ skipper Sophie Devine made two changes: Hayley Jensen for Hannah Rowe and Molly Penfold, ‘a beast of a bowler;’ resting Jess Kerr. Skipper Heather Knight was playing Katherine Brunt in place of Natalie Sciver.

*England’s innings followed a similar ‘big name’ batting collapse as before.

*Both openers (Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield-Hill) fell ‘leg before’ to Lea Tahuhu.

*Commentator Adam Collins said that England were ‘reeling’ after 10 overs’ power-play (32/4).

*Two more wickets fell when Heather Knight (6) was caught behind from an outside edge, and Sophia Dunkley (6) stumps were skittled by Lea Tahuhu (5/37). 2 more wickets fell when Molly Penfold took her maiden wicket as Amy Jones (21) was caught playing across the line.

*Also, Danni Wyatt (10) was out to a stunning diving catch at backward point by Lauren Down.

*Two key partnerships by Katherine Brunt (49*) put 76 runs on the board. *Firstly, 23 runs (from 43 balls) were added by Brunt with Sophie Ecclestone (8.)

*Secondly, 53 runs (from 78 balls) were added by Brunt with Kate Cross (29.)

*Tash Farrant (12) played a short cameo to finish.

*Rescued once again, by their lower order, commentators were astonished that ‘Ferns’ had let England back into the game when England’s innings could have been ‘closed down for 110.’

*’Ferns’ reply followed a similar pattern, losing both openers (Suzie Bates and Lauren Down) for single figures.

*After 10 overs power-play ‘Ferns’ were 35/2 (vs England 32/4).

*During her innings, Amy Satterthwaite chalked-up 1000 runs in ODIs and became the 3rd highest run-scorer against England in ODIs.

*Two key ‘Ferns’ partnerships by Maddy Green (70*) put 124 runs on the board.

*Firstly 72 runs were added by Green and Amy Satterthwaite (33). By mid-way, after 25 overs, ‘Ferns’ were ahead on 89/3 (vs. England 24/7).

*Secondly 52 runs were added by Maddy Green with Brooke Halliday. Commentators said that ‘Ferns’ suffered a nervous finish as Katherine Brunt took 4/22 and 3 wickets fell for 12 runs. As mentioned above, Lea Tahuhu confidently struck the winning ‘six,’ to see ‘Ferns’ safely across the line, keeping the series alive.

Result: NZ Women ‘White Ferns’ 181/7 beat England-W 178/10, by 3 wickets 

England -W: 178/10 (48.3/50 ov, 3.67 runs-per-over); Katherine Brunt 49*runs (from 98 balls), Kate Cross 29(40), Amy Jones 21 from (33) balls, Tash Farrant 12(18), Danni Wyatt 10(20), Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Dean 10(25); NZ bowling: Lea Tahuhu 5/37, Molly Penfold 2/42, Leigh Kasperek 1/28, Hayley Jensen 1/40; Fow 1-6, 2-11, 3-20, 4-27, 5-48, 6-59, 7-78, 8-101, 9-154, 10-178; NZ -W: 181/7 (45.5/50ov. 3.94 r-p-o); Maddy Green 70*(106), Amy Satterthwaite 33(54), Brooke Halliday 25(38), Lea Tahuhu 19*(15): England bowling: Katherine Brunt 4/22, Charlotte Dean 1/38, Sophie Ecclestone 1/41, Tash Farrant 1/45; Fow 1-12, 2-13, 3-85, 4-94, 5-146, 6-149, 7-158.

Scorecard at:  https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-women-tour-of-england-2021-1260090/england-women-vs-new-zealand-women-3rd-odi-1260105/full-scorecard

Highlights at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58643587

England lead ODI Series 2 – 1; with 2 matches remaining on September 23 & 26.