"Lauren Bell had initially reduced the tourists to 40 for three, before giving everyone a scare for next month's World Cup when she toppled over in her follow-through and briefly left the field for treatment. She returned to bowl the 26th over of New Zealand's run-chase, but the umpires called a halt to proceedings shortly afterwards. By then, a combination of Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday and Izzy Gaze had batted together for long enough and with enough assertiveness to ensure New Zealand were well ahead on DLS to level the series 1-1."
"This will be the only women's international in Cardiff in 2026 those in charge of Welsh cricket are reportedly fuming about being denied hosting rights for a World Cup that is, in name, an England and Wales affair but in reality isn't. It proved to be a frustrating day, with the start put back by an hour and a two-and-a-half-hour rain delay mid-afternoon. At least, after Wednesday's washout at Northampton, enough overs were possible to constitute a match and the permanent clouds looming overhead did wonders for the two swing bowlers, Jess Kerr and Bell."
"The 21-year-old Jodi Grewcock was tasked with facing Kerr's opening spell and batted like a rabbit caught in the headlights. She was put down behind the stumps on nought before keeper Gaze finally snaffled her in the 11th over. In reply, the top three New Zealand batters all fell leg-before to Bell. Strikingly, none of them opted for a DRS review, but this was a different New Zealand to the brittle side who failed to win a game on their last tour of England, in 2024: this time, their middle-order showed some backbone, fully aware that wickets could prove critical to falling behind the par score"
New Zealand won the final one-day international at Cardiff by six wickets in hand, sharing series spoils and ICC Championship points after rain reduced play. Lauren Bell initially reduced New Zealand’s opponents to 40 for three, then briefly left the field after a follow-through incident before returning to bowl the 26th over. Umpires halted proceedings shortly afterward, leaving New Zealand ahead on DLS. Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, and Izzy Gaze batted assertively to secure the advantage and level the series 1-1. The match start was delayed by an hour and a rain interruption occurred mid-afternoon. Swing conditions helped Jess Kerr and Bell, while England’s Jodi Grewcock struggled against Kerr’s opening spell. England’s top three batters fell leg-before to Bell, and none reviewed the decisions, while New Zealand’s middle order showed resilience against the par score.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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