The White Ferns put in a commanding display to beat England by four wickets and level the five match One-Day International series 1-1 at Taunton.
Suzie Bates took three for 17, debutant Erin Bermingham snared two for 41 and the team completed three run-outs to restrict England to a moderate 208 for nine and then chased down the total with more than two overs to spare.
Coach, Gary Stead, praised the bowling and fielding effort, saying it was a marked improvement from the first match.
“Our bowlers were much more disciplined and the fielding effort showed much more commitment,” Stead said. “It is a lightning outfield so we needed to throw ourselves around in the field otherwise it would go to the boundary.”
The bulk of England’s runs came from Sarah Taylor (66) and Lydia Greenway (40) with the pair putting setting a solid platform but the middle and lower order were unable to capitalise as they lost five wickets for 42 runs.
The White Ferns run chase was led by Suzie Bates who hit seven boundaries in a well paced unbeaten 75 off 107 balls.
Bates received good support from Lucy Doolan (24), Sara McGlashan (28) and Sophie Devine (23).
England pace bowler, Laura Marsh, picked up three for 34, including the wicket of in-form Maria Fahey for 12.
“It was a really pleasing win today,” said Stead, “It was important for us to level the series and to improve in all facets of the game and everyone needed to step up from the first match.”
“Suzie Bates was outstanding in all disciplines - bowling fielding and her batting, with a very mature knock taking us to victory. “
“It was a well measured run chase and we are looking forward to Derby with confidence,” he added.
Schedule:
29/06/2010 England vs White Ferns - First Twenty20
County Ground, Chelmsford
Result: England won by 37 runs
1/07/2010 England vs White Ferns - Second Twenty20
Rose Bowl, Hampshire
Result: White Ferns won by 4 runs
2/07/2010 England vs White Ferns - Third Twenty20
County Ground, Hove
+ Result: White Ferns won by 9 runs
4/07/2010 Ireland vs White Ferns - ODI
Kibworth Cricket Club
9:45pm (NZ time)
+ Result: White Ferns won by 159 runs
7/07/2010 England Academy vs White Ferns - 50 over match
Kibworth Cricket Club
+ Result: White Ferns won by 6 wickets
10/07/2010 England vs White Ferns - First ODI
The County Ground, Taunton
+ Result: England won by 1 wicket
12/07/2010 England vs White Ferns - Second ODI
The County Ground, Taunton
+ Result: White Ferns won by 4 wickets
15/07/2010 England vs White Ferns - Third ODI
County Ground, Derby
+1d 1:30am (NZ time)
17/07/2010 England vs White Ferns - Fourth ODI
Barnsley
9:45pm (NZ time)
20/07/2010 England vs White Ferns - Fifth ODI
Lord's, London
9:45pm (NZ time)
