England Women have won the NatWest Women’s One Day International Series 3-1 after claiming the 4th match of the series on Saturday by nine wickets at Shaw Lane, Barnsley.
Aimee Watkins won the toss for New Zealand and opted to bat, at the first international to be hosted by Barnsley Cricket Club.
Katherine Brunt led the bowling attack for England taking 3-31, at her home ground.
Brunt claimed the early wickets of Lucy Doolan (18) and Suzi Bates (4) to leave New Zealand on 26-2, before rain stopped play.
Play resumed and Jenny Gunn (2-32) continued to look in form along with Holly Colvin (2-23) in her 50th One Day International for England.
Brunt returned in the final overs to clean bowl Erin Bermingham (1) on the second to last ball of her 10 over spell.
Watkins (42), once again top scored for New Zealand, before she was caught by Greenway off a ball from Colvin in the final over.
New Zealand were restricted to 136-9.
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Player of the match Sarah Taylor (49*) opened the batting for England with Heather Knight (18) to get England off to a steady start, before Knight was bowled by Sophie Devine in the 17th over.
Claire Taylor (51*) top scored, clearing the ropes and hit seven boundaries as she shared a match winning partnership of 70 with Sarah Taylor.
England cruised to victory and won the NatWest Women’s Series 3-1 by taking the 4th match of the series by nine wickets, finishing 139-1, with four overs remaining.
Speaking after the match Sarah Taylor said: ‘It was great batting with Claire Taylor, she kept me going. The Kiwi’s bowled well, but we were patient and the runs just came.’
Commenting on playing in the first international to be held at Shaw Lane, Katherine Brunt said: ‘I never thought we would play here, it has been a dream come true for me. The conditions haven’t suited me in recent matches, but today it was a nice little seaming wicket. It meant the world to me to pick up a few wickets in front of my family.’
The final match of the NatWest Women’s One Day International Series will be played at Lord’s, on Tuesday July 20.
Poppy Bending Beckett, Sportsister,
The Women’s Sports Magazine
