Third T20 – England v New Zealand
The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury
Ben Sawyer had obviously said “Attack!” – and Suzie Bates obliged, hitting Lauren Filer’s first ball back past her for four.
But Filer played the old-pro’s game. She allowed Bates a single, then undid Georgia Plimmer with a bouncer that she could only loft to mid-on. Her unfortunate series continued, out first ball.
The Kiwis now dealt almost exclusively in fours. Freya Kemp, allowed a second over, was slogged for four 4s in succession by Bates; not the performance the left-armer needed to put her in the management’s good books. 18 off the powerplay over. (47-1)
Sarah Glenn was promptly put away for another four by Melie Kerr. Things quietened after that; only two more singles. But the White Ferns had the 50 up already.
Who does any sensible England captain turn to in a trough like that? Correct! Sophie Ecclestone – not given the day off – let Bates’ eyes gleam with a four off the first ball, then the second finished in NSB’s hands at mid-off. She and we wondered, how on earth did that happen? (38 off 27)
Bates had brought up her 10,000th run in all formats, the third batter to do so (thanks, hypocaust).
Then exactly the same dose of medicine for Kerr. A four, then she was out, leaving the gate open for an Ecclestone special. When, you might wonder, will she match Jimmy Anderson’s great deeds? Just a few hundred wickets to go.
The ninth over saw Glenn restore some control, just three singles; Dean in charge too. By half-way New Zealand had reached a more limited 68-3 than had seemed likely.
As the twelfth over started, the fours had dried up. Were the Kiwi batters preparing for the big assault later? No, Halliday decided enough was enough, but as she swung, she found NSB lying in wait on the boundary.
Not for the first time, much rested on Devine’s shoulders. Dean suffered two 4s as NZ reached 89-4 off 14. The game probably depended on whether their tail could wag properly. Maddy Green hit a fine four, but Glenn took a great diving catch at point off Filer.
As the 100 came up in the 17th, it was time for Ecclestone’s third. Izzy Gaze was beaten by more magic. Devine wasn’t allowed to bat at both ends.
NSB reintroduced Filer after her rough treatment at the start. But she began with a wide, then a four. The moment Devine came off strike, a fast yorker beat Hannah Rowe. Devine’s courage and skill now brought a six over long-on, then a four! Off her last delivery Ecclestone had her fourth, bowling Kasperek (4-0-25-4).
In the last over Devine reached a magnificent 50. She finished 4, 4, 4! (58*/42)
The Reply
Drama again. First ball, Bouchier given out lbw to Hannah Rowe. Then a review. OUT! Alice Capsey’s response was 2 then 4. When Rowe was offered a second over Sophia Dunkley clobbered her for 6.
Dunkley and Capsey didn’t hit every ball cleanly, but they had the 50 up by the end of the powerplay. England were ahead of the required rate. This allowed Capsey the luxury of letting a ball pass through to the keeper.
Fran Jonas made the vital break-through, bowling Dunkley (35/25), an important innings for her.
Next ball NSB was pinned lbw! Another golden duck. They are a fertile breed. (66-3)
After ten overs the odds had shifted. England weren’t halfway there. (69-3). Capsey decided she’d get them on her own; 11 off Jonas’ next over. Leigh Kasperek thought she had Capsey lbw – so did Sue Redfern, but technology decreed otherwise.
Amy Jones joined in the fun in the thirteenth with a 6 off Kerr. The next moment Plimmer dropped her in the deep. Ah me! And England had slowed, falling behind the required rate. Perhaps a glance across to the cathedral would help.
The 100 came in 14.3. 40 needed off five. Capsey reached 50, but it was too tight for comfort. England were scoring in singles; the crowd grew agitated.
With 18 needed off three, Devine dropped Jones! Capsey hit the next ball for 6. Devine recovered to run out Jones. Freya Kemp hit a four off her first ball. 17 off 12, please.
Kemp confirmed her qualities by taking 12 off Kasperek’s 19th over.
It was very sad for the visitors that the winning runs came with yet another misfield, this time on the edge. Dropped catches had cost them very dear.
Scores:
New Zealand 141-8
England 142-4
England won by six wickets, to take a winning 3-0 lead.
Player of the Match: Alice Capsey
Attendance: around 4,000
Teams
England 1 Sophia Dunkley, 2 Maia Bouchier, 3 Alice Capsey, 4 Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), 5 Amy Jones (w-k), 6 Freya Kemp, 7 Dani Gibson 8 Charlie Dean, 9 Sophie Ecclestone, 10 Sarah Glenn, 11 Lauren Filer
New Zealand 1 Suzie Bates, 2 Georgia Plimmer, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine (captain), 5 Maddy Green, 6 Brooke Halliday, 7 Izzy Gaze (w-k), 8 Hannah Rowe, 9 Leigh Kasperek, 10 Molly Penfold, 11 Fran Jonas
Afterthoughts
A glance at NZ’s innings explains their difficulties: three players reached double figures: Bates 38, Kerr 23 and Devine 58*. That is, the three pillars of the batting line-up. The other eight totalled 19 runs. Are the authorities going to unearth adequate support for them?
England selections: Heather Knight went missing deliberately, to see if England could hold themselves together without her presence. They just managed to. The two Laurens switched roles, and Danni Gibson was given a game in dry weather. She didn’t get a bat, but her bowling (3-0-27-0) leaves question-marks.
Sarah Glenn bowled thoroughly well: 4-0-14-1. Ecclestone was Ecclestone.
There are still rough edges in England’s performances that Jon Lewis will want to iron out.
