England have beaten the New Zealand women's cricket team by five wickets in their third and final T20 match at Lincoln to claim the series 2-1.
England celebrate the dismissal of Suzie Bates Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After being sent in, neither of the White Ferns big-hitting openers Suzie Bates (7) and Rachel Priest (14) were able to make an impact against an England side fired up to mark Charlotte Edwards' 200th appearance as England captain.
Heather Knight and Danielle Hazell proved the most challenging of the English attack, but Sophie Devine (37 off 31) kept her cool and looked untroubled, striding in at number five early in the eighth over.
Despite losing a succession of partners with no partnership of substance, Devine dug in through the middle of the innings and into the 19th over to ensure the White Ferns were able to bat out their 20 overs, albeit for just 97 runs for the loss of nine wickets.
The Ferns made the English batters work hard in return as the visitors looked to chase down a modest target.
New Zealand's Rachel Priest keeps wicket as England's Sarah Taylor cuts. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Rated as one of the quickest bowlers in women's cricket, Lea Tahuhu came back into the eleven today to take a career-best 3-28, including bowling the star England skipper for just five runs.
The match went down to the penultimate over as the Ferns continued to scrap for every ball.
Natalie Sciver was dismissed in the closing stages in freakish fashion after the ball richoted off bowler Erin Bermingham's hand to have her run out at the non-striker's end, before Katherine Brunt punched a brutal six over cow corner to win the match and the Series with just eight balls to spare.
