England 142 for 4 (Capsey 67, Dunkley 35) defeated New Zealand 141 for 8 (Devine 58, Bates 38, Ecclestone 4-25) by six wickets.
England, under pressure, managed to secure a win and an unassailable 3-0 lead in their T20I series against New Zealand through a mix of experimentation and composure.
Sophie Ecclestone's remarkable four-wicket performance stifled Sophie Devine's resistance, while Alice Capsey's career-best 67 not-out guided the hosts to victory with four balls remaining in Canterbury.
With two matches left, England might continue their experimental approach. Sophia Dunkley seised her opportunity at the top of the order with a rapid 35 off 26 balls, forming a crucial 66-run partnership with Capsey. Although Fran Jonas's two quick wickets rekindled New Zealand's hopes, Capsey's 60-ball innings and Freya Kemp's unbeaten 16 off eight balls ensured England's victory. The White Ferns were left to lament missed opportunities in the field.
Devine's Determination
Suzie Bates opened the match with a stunning straight drive for four, marking her 10,000th international run. She and Amelia Kerr built a 52-run partnership for the second wicket, showcasing the batting performance New Zealand had been striving for. The White Ferns reached 46 for 1 at the end of the powerplay, and Kerr took them past 50 with a boundary off Sarah Glenn. However, Ecclestone’s devastating first over dismissed both Bates and Kerr, leaving Devine to anchor the innings.
Georgia Plimmer's first-ball duck in the opening over hinted at New Zealand’s familiar batting struggles. At 63 for 3, Devine and Brooke Halliday needed to stabilise the innings. Devine had a reprieve on 4 when Charlie Dean missed a return catch, but Halliday soon fell to Glenn. Devine ended a boundary drought of 5.4 overs with two fours off Dean, but with wickets tumbling, she had to accelerate to turn 100 for 6 into a competitive total.
Kemp's perfect yorker dismissed Hannah Rowe, making it 106 for 7. Devine responded with a six over long-on, followed by another over deep square leg off Ecclestone. She brought up her fifty with three consecutive fours off Dani Gibson, ending the innings with a strong finish through square leg, achieving her first half-century of the tour.
Ecclestone's Impact
Ecclestone's entry into the attack proved pivotal. Her second ball saw Bates chip straight to Sciver-Brunt at mid-off. Three balls later, Kerr was bowled by a flighted delivery that dipped and gripped off the pitch, clipping the top of the middle stump. Ecclestone then bowled Izzy Gaze with an arm ball, putting New Zealand in deep trouble. Devine shifted gears, but Ecclestone claimed her fourth wicket when Leigh Kasperek missed a heave across the line and saw her middle stump disturbed. Ecclestone finished with 4 for 25, her second four-wicket haul in T20Is, surpassing only her 4 for 18 against New Zealand at Taunton in 2018.
England's mix of strategic experimentation and standout performances by Ecclestone and Capsey secured a decisive victory, highlighting their dominance in the series.