New Zealand Beat England By 17 Runs In Rain-Soaked Cardiff To Level ODI Series

New Zealand beat England by 17 runs via the DLS method in the third and final women’s ODI at Cardiff’s Sofia Gardens, with rain forcing a reduced 33-overs-a-side game.

“- Published England suffered a 17-run (DLS) defeat in a rain-affected third and final one-day international in Cardiff as New Zealand levelled the series at 1-1”

BBC

England reached 181-7 after rain delayed play, and New Zealand finished on 141-4 when persistent drizzle made the chase unplayable.

BBC

Lauren Bell reduced the tourists to 40-3 by removing Suzie Bates lbw for 12 in her final ODI appearance, before trapping both Georgia Plimmer and skipper Melie Kerr in front for seven and one.

In New Zealand’s chase, Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday steadied the innings with a 57-run partnership, and Halliday finished unbeaten on 42 with support from Izzy Gaze’s 22 not out.

The match ended with New Zealand levelled at 1-1 in the three-match ODI series after the umpires called a halt as rain closed in.

After Lauren Bell’s early impact, the BBC described how Bell removed Suzie Bates lbw for 12 in her final ODI appearance and then trapped Georgia Plimmer and skipper Melie Kerr in front for seven and one.

Stand-in captain Charlie Dean said on Sky Sports Cricket, "Batting first on a day like today it is always difficult to manage situations," explaining that adjusting tempo in shortened-overs play proved hard.

NZ Herald

New Zealand captain Melie Kerr told Sky Sports Cricket, "A win today to level the series... any time you win against a quality England side is pleasing," after New Zealand absorbed pressure at 40-3 on a tricky wicket.

The Guardian also highlighted that Lauren Bell took a blow to a hand in her follow-through and briefly left the field, with Charlie Dean confirming it was precautionary: "She took a bit of a hit on her left thumb [in practice] yesterday, and it was a bit bruised and sore."

With the chase reduced and rain repeatedly interrupting play, New Zealand’s middle order stayed ahead of the run-rate until the umpires halted proceedings.

With the ODI series tied at 1-1, the BBC said the match was followed by three T20s, starting at Derby on Wednesday, in the format in which the White Ferns are world champions.

“Live updates of the third One-Day International between the White Ferns and England, from Cardiff’s Sofia Gardens”

NZ Herald

Sky Sports reported that England and New Zealand meet in three T20 internationals starting in Derby on May 20, with further games at Canterbury (May 23) and Hove (May 25).

The Independent framed the day as a rain-affected contest that ended when persistent drizzle forced the players from the field at 6.57pm with 50 balls remaining, leaving New Zealand 17 runs above the DLS par score.

For England, the BBC noted the ODI side begins its transition, while Sky Sports pointed to preparation for the T20 World Cup in England from June 12, with England’s campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday June 12.

For New Zealand, the Guardian’s match account underscored that Suzie Bates’s final ODI innings came in the rain-hit finale, while Green said the team now has "genuine match-winners throughout our whole side" as the next phase approaches.