England claim series, Duckworth-Lewis required

England have won the third Twenty20 against the White Ferns by 10 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis system and took an unassailable three-nil lead in the five match series.

New Zealand looked in good shape for most of the match being held at Eden Park, but couldn’t push on with the bat and still required 19 runs off the last seven balls before rain ended the match.

The Ferns opted to bowl first having won the toss and got off to a great start by dismissing powerful hitter Laura Marsh early.

An impressive display of fielding and accurate bowling continued to make inroads for the New Zealand team as they restricted the English to 12 for four after 2.6 overs.

The English fought back through Lydia Greenway (36) and Jenny Gunn (30*), but three run outs stopped England from gaining momentum and st the end of twenty overs England had posted a final score of 108 for six.

Rachel Candy was the pick of the bowlers and finished with figures of one for 14 from four overs.

The White Ferns in reply got off to a solid start and were 31 without loss until Francis Mackay was bowled on 19.

Three more batsmen made starts and Sara McGlashan top scored with 20, but as the required run-rate increased so did the number of wickets that fell.

Rain started to fall and when New Zealand required 19 runs from seven balls both teams were forced to leave the field.

They wouldn’t return and at 90 for seven the White Ferns were 10 runs behind where they needed to be for the Duckworth-Lewis system, giving England a third Twenty20 victory and claiming the series.

The fourth Twenty20 between the two sides is on Saturday at Queens Park in Invercargill.