New Zealand Women will be looking to hand England Women their maiden limited-overs series defeat this year by beating them in the third and final T20I, on 9 September at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.
England won the series opener by 46 runs at Chelmsford. Tammy Beaumont starred that night, striking 13 fours and a six in her 65-ball 97 to help England reach 184/4 after being put in. Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Sarah Glenn then claimed two wickets each to bowl New Zealand out for 138 in 18.5 overs.
Sophie Devine failed to make an impact with bat that night, but did not disappoint her fans in the second match. First, she returned 2-28, which included the wickets of Nat Sciver and Amy Jones in successive balls, to help New Zealand restrict England to 127/7. Then she smacked two fours and four sixes in her 41-ball 50 to drive New Zealand home with 10 balls to spare.
England will welcome Heather Knight back for the decider. Knight suffered a hamstring injury just before the series, and Sciver stepped in as captain. If she plays, Maia Bouchier is likely to be sidelined.
New Zealand are unlikely to make any change from their winning combination. Suzie Bates, who failed in both matches, will hope to get England off to an ideal start this time. Leigh Kasperek, who returned 1-54 in the first match, roared back in the second with excellent figures of 2-20.
Betway Fantasy Tips
– Bet on England. They are slightly ahead of New Zealand before heading to this contest only because of their home conditions.
– Appoint Sciver and Devine as captain and vice-captain respectively.
– Do not ignore Tash Farrant. She has been in impressive form since the Women’s Hundred, and had also bowled a maiden in the last match.
– Pick Amy Jones ahead of Katey Martin among wicket-keepers.
Probable XIs
England Women: Heather Knight (c), Amy Jones (wk), Danni Wyatt, Tammy Beaumont, Nat Sciver, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Mady Villiers, Tash Farrant, Freya Davies.
New Zealand Women: Sophie Devine (c), Katey Martin (wk), Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Katey Martin (wk), Hayley Jensen, Thamsyn Newton, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Leigh Kasperek.
Prediction
A tough choice. England perhaps win this one.
Blitzpools Fantasy XI
Nat Sciver (c), Sophie Devine (vc), Amy Jones, Danni Wyatt, Tammy Beaumont, Amy Satterthwaite, Hayley Jensen, Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Mady Villiers, Leigh Kasperek.
