New Zealand v England: Maia Bouchier hits 91 in fourth T20 to seal series

[CharlieH]

 

Fourth T20, Wellington
England 177-3 (20 overs): Bouchier 91 (56)
New Zealand 130-7 (20 overs): Dean 4-26
England won by 47 runs
Scorecard

England sealed a T20 series victory with a game to spare with a dominant 47-run win over New Zealand in Wellington.

England's imposing 177-3 was set up by opener Maia Bouchier's stunning 91 from only 56 balls.

 

In reply, spinner Charlie Dean took 4-26 as the hosts stumbled to 130-7 from their 20 overs.

The White Ferns were left to rue a sloppy fielding performance, dropping Bouchier twice and missing a stumping.

Captain Sophie Devine was unable to bat after sustaining a quad injury in the field, to further dent New Zealand's hopes of chasing the competitive total.

But they should not have been chasing such a target after Izzy Gaze missed a regulation stumping with Bouchier on 31, Jess Kerr could not hold on in her follow-through when she was on 44 and substitute fielder Leigh Kasperek spilled a tough diving chance on 80.

England were also gifted plenty of runs through New Zealand's substandard ground fielding, and punished their wilting bowlers for 65 runs from the last five overs.

Bouchier's knock included 12 fours and two sixes, before captain Heather Knight's 21 from nine balls and Nat Sciver-Brunt's 29 from 14 balls added the late impetus from which New Zealand never recovered.

The final T20 takes place at the same venue on Friday.

 

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