Stand-in captain Jenny Gunn and all-rounder Natalie Sciver exploded in a combined bowling effort as England stormed back to annihilate New Zealand by 19 runs in the fifth match of the Women’s Tri-Nation Twenty20 International Series at Kensington Oval on Tuesday night.
Gunn, leading England for the injured Charlotte Edwards, and Sciver shared nine wickets to nullify a New Zealand run chase that had a promising start.
The White Ferns were bowled out for 106 runs, chasing 126 scored by England, who have now sealed their spot in Saturday’s final against the West Indies.
Captain Suzie Bates topscored with 45 and Sophie Devine made 25, but their departure, sparked a complete batting collapse that saw the last seven wickets falling for just nine runs.
Gunn finished with five wickets for 18 runs while Sciver grabbed four for 21, including a hat-trick, as she claimed the scalps of Maddie Green, Erin Bermingham and Frances Mackey with successive balls.
England, without Edwards, had earlier slumped to 73 for four after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
However, Danielle Wyatt and Sciver played responsible innings in an effort to swing the momentum back in England’s favour.
Wyatt topscored with 37 while Sciver scored 23 from 21 balls and with her four-wicket haul was named Player Of The Match.
Meanwhile, the West Indies’ captain Merissa Aguilleira said her team would be looking to rebound from last Sunday night’s nine-run defeat against New Zealand when they meet England tonight in what will be a dress rehearsal of Saturday’s final.
“After all, I believe that we will bounce back and not just bounce back but bounce back strong as well,” she said.
“We just have to sit down and see where we went wrong because there are areas that we can improve in, especially in our batting,” she noted.
Chasing the White Ferns’ modest total of 101 for seven, the Windies were restricted to 92 for eight after they were given an opening partnership of 44 between Stafanie Taylor and Juliana Nero.
The Windies are expected to hand 18-year-old Jamaican Chinelle Henry her debut cap while versatile Guyanese cricketer Shemaine Campbelle, a middle order batter, who can keep wicket or bowl leg spin, is also likely to be given her first match of the series.
Summarized scores: England 125-8 in 20 overs (Danielle Wyatt 37, Natalie Sciver 23, Sarah Taylor 13, Laura Winfield 11, Tammy Beaumont 11; Morna Nielsen 2-24, Sian Ruck 2-27). New Zealand 106 in 20 overs (Suzie Bates 46, Sophie Devine 25, Amy Satterthwaite 16; Jenny Gunn 5-18, Natalie Sciver 4-21). (EZS/CMC)
