In a rain-marred game at Bristol, Lauren Bell snapped up career best figures of 5 for 37 against New Zealand Women to orchestrate another win for England Women, who clinched the ODI series 3-0.
After two shoddy outings with the bat, New Zealand Women have a better account of themselves in the dead rubber to notch up a decent score of 211/8 in their allotted 42 overs. Amelia Kerr top scored with 57 while Sophie Devine chipped in with 43. Bell, however, dismissed Kerr and Devine, getting the ball to seam inwards, claiming them leg-before-wicket and bowled respectively. She also strangled in-form batter Brooke Halliday down the legside and deceived Lauren Down and Isabella Gaze with slower variations.
Maia Boucher (19), who has had an impressive series so far, was dismissed early in the chase and England were tottering at 33 for 3 due to the opening spell from Hannah Rowe (2-38) and Molly Penfold (1-45). An alliance worth 90 runs between Nat Sciver-Brunt (76*) and Amy Jones (50) stabilized the innings, before an Alice Capsey (35*) cameo wrapped the game and the series for the hosts.
Brief Scores: New Zealand Women 211/8 in 42 overs (Amelia Kerr 57, Sophie Devine 43; Lauren Bell 5-37, Kate Cross 2-46) lost to England Women 212/5 in 38.4 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 76*, Amy Jones 50; Hannah Rowe 2-38, Molly Penfold 1-45) by 5 wickets