England Secure Thrilling T20 Victory Over New Zealand, Bates Reaches Milestone
On Thursday, England secured a nervy six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20 match of their series, taking a commanding 3-0 lead with two games remaining. The thrilling encounter at the Chester le Street Cricket Ground in Chester le Street featured several key moments that kept the match in the balance until the final over.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 144/7, thanks to an unbeaten 58 from captain Sophie Devine and a glorious 38 from veteran opener Suzie Bates, who became just the third woman to surpass 10,000 international runs. However, England’s Sophie Ecclestone was the standout performer with the ball, claiming four wickets for 25 runs.
In the chase, England’s start was shaky, with Maia Bouchier dismissed for a duck. But a career-best 67 not out from Alice Capsey, who overcame a close lbw call that was overturned on review, steadied the innings. The hosts were also aided by some sloppy New Zealand fielding, with Amy Jones dropped twice before a misfield in the final over allowed England to seal the victory with four balls to spare.
“The match was not without controversy, as England coach Jon Lewis made the surprising decision to rest captain Heather Knight, handing the reins to Nat Sciver-Brunt, who struggled with the responsibility. This decision, along with the team’s revolving-door selection policy, raised questions about England’s World Cup preparations.”
Despite the nerves, England ultimately prevailed, demonstrating their depth and resilience as they continue to build momentum ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The series victory also marks an important milestone for New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who became the first woman from her country to reach the 10,000-run milestone in international cricket.
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