Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Suzie Bates' nerveless final over keeps series alive after Sophie Devine stars

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Saturday, 23 March 2024 20:41

New Zealand 155 for 3 (Devine 60, Kerr 44*) beat England 152 for 8 (Bouchier 71, Bates 2-4) by three runs

Centered around a captain's performance from Sophie Devine, New Zealand kept the T20I series alive in dramatic circumstances after England had appeared to have victory wrapped up following a blistering innings from Maia Bouchier.
The visitors needed 30 off 30 balls with eight wickets in hand when Devine removed Bouchier and the middle order made a huge mess of things. Amelia Kerr ran out Heather Knight then removed Amy Jones. It came down to eight required off the last over which was bowled by Suzie Bates, her first of the match, and she was able to get her team across the line.
Devine, with 60 off 37 balls, and Kerr had earlier been key figures with the bat as they added 99 for the third wicket to take New Zealand to their highest T20I total against England.

Final over drama

There was a hint of controversy with the last ball of the penultimate over from Devine which looked to be a wide but wasn't called, much to the disbelief of Danielle Gibson. It meant England needed eight off the last and Devine threw the ball to the experienced Bates who had not been used up to that point in the innings.

Bates removed Holly Armitage first ball after she had been brought in as a concussion sub for Sarah Glenn. Then, although Bates missed a chance to run out Charlie Dean, she was able to close out the gap when Dean swung and missed at the last delivery.

Devine hits her stride

New Zealand had a solid powerplay, reaching 40 without loss, but England were again threatening to stifle the innings as both openers departed. Devine and Kerr consolidated initially before the captain started to open her shoulders which included taking 15 off Linsey Smith's final over.

Devine's fifty came off 30 balls when she lofted Dean for the second six of her innings although Gibson ended the innings with a terrific final over that cost just four runs to keep New Zealand under 160. Overall they managed 90 off their second 10 overs and 55 off the last five, although after the game Devine did question if they could have gone harder a little earlier.

Bouchier's blitz

Sophia Dunkley was run-out in the second over by a direct hit from Rosemary Mair, but Bouchier gave England early momentum when she took Mair for four consecutive boundaries in the fifth over. At the end of the powerplay. England were a healthy 60 for 1.

Bouchier had not quite been able to go through the gears in the first two games but was very impressive here as she brought up a maiden T20I fifty off 33 balls. Overall she struck 11 fours and a six, which meant 50 off her 71 runs came in boundaries.

She and Tammy Beaumont gave England the platform from where they should have won with the pair adding 92 in 61 balls. But when Beaumont found mid-off New Zealand started to squeeze with Knight not finding the fluency of the earlier matches. Devine gave her side the opening when she removed Bouchier although it still needed a remarkable effort to come out on top.

Sarah Glenn subbed out

In the sixth over, Glenn dropped a catch at mid-off and banged her head on the outfield in the process. She didn't appear to be immediately checked and came on to bowl the seventh over where she had Bates stumped to give England their first breakthrough. However, shortly after, she left the field and didn't return. At the interval it was confirmed she had failed a concussion test and was replaced by Armitage to make it her T20I debut.

"Sarah Glenn had a head injury assessment (HIA) and hasn't passed," an ECB spokesperson said. "Sarah will be assessed later today to determine next steps."

Losing Glenn for a period of time would be a blow to England's attack, but it will be compensated for by the return of Sophie Ecclestone with those players who had been at the WPL available from the fourth match of this series in Wellington.

Read 75 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated