9:29 PM IST, 4:59 PM Local Time: England take the home T20I series 2-1 with a thumping 7-wicket win over New Zealand, knocking down the 81-run target in just 13.5 overs at Hove after a fantastic performance with the ball had sent NZ packing for 80 in the first innings.
Amelia Kerr called it right at the toss and elected to bat first making two changes in the lineup, bringing Suzie Bates to open the innings who could only add 3. The batting order collapsed and it was Jess Kerr's 20, Isabella Gaze's 17 and Maddy Green's 14 - the only batters to score into double digits - that took NZ to their total. Danielle Gibson produced her career-best 3/14, Charlie Dean picked up 3/13, Linsey Smith was fantastic again with 2/15, Sophie Ecclestone on her comeback picking up 1/11 and Isabelle Wong 1/20 respectively.
Nensi Patel got an early breakthrough for NZ trapping Alice Capsey in front of the stumps in the 3rd over. Replays confirmed Capsey would have survived had she taken the referral. Sophia Dunkley and Maia Bouchier added 25 runs for the 2nd wicket before Bree Illing sent Dunkley back in the hut for 22, just one ball before the end of the powerplay with England 36/2.
Bouchier was joined by former skipper Heather Knight who smashed a couple of boundaries to provide some more impetus to the English chase before Amelia Kerr had her caught at backward point as Knight attempted a reverse sweep. Freya Kemp scored 7 off 5 and remained unbeaten with Bouchier (19* off 29) as England chased the total down in the 14th over.
Bree Illing, Amelia Kerr and Nensi Patel picked up a wicket apiece but a dismal batting performance from the Kiwis didn't put a defendable total on the board. Stay tuned as we continue our post match and post series coverage.