Alice Capsey hit an unbeaten 67 as England clinched a tense six-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20 international to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Sophie Ecclestone’s masterful 4-25 helped restrict the Kiwis to 141-8 while Lauren Filer (2-17) and Sarah Glenn (1-14) also bowled eye-catching spells.
New Zealand were indebted to skipper Sophie Devine who accelerated in the final few overs to finish unbeaten on 58 off 42 balls after opener Suzie Bates had made 38.
England lost in-form Maia Bouchier for a first-ball duck but teenager Capsey and Sophia Dunkley (35) enjoyed a 66-run stand for the second wicket.
Nat Sciver-Brunt, skippering the side after Heather Knight was rested, also departed without scoring but 19-year-old Capsey batted with maturity to see England home.
With 28 runs required off 17 balls for victory Capsey whacked Amelia Kerr down the ground for a towering six to signal England’s charge.
Freya Kemp bludgeoned 16 off eight balls before Capsey hit the winning runs – albeit via a streaky shot and misfield – with four balls to spare.
More to follow.
Source Agencies
