England thrash New Zealand to go 2-0 up

New Zealand fell to their fourth heaviest defeat in ODI cricket as both Katie George (3/36) and Sophie Ecclestone (3/14) picked up three-wicket-hauls in another dominant England performance which also saw Nat Sciver and Tammy Beaumont score half-centuries.

After the hosts were bowled out for a competitive 241 in 48 overs, New Zealand’s timid chase never got going as England stifled the visitors who failed to take the game to their opposing bowlers.

England also lost wickets at regular intervals during the first innings, but unlike their opponents they refused to go into their shell. They are now 2-0 up in the three-match series, having followed up their resounding win in the first ODI with another commanding victory.

In the first innings, Amy Jones and Beaumont made 40 for the first wicket before the former was caught by Lea Tahuhu off the bowling of Sophie Devine in the ninth over.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Sarah Taylor didn’t last long, as she served up a simple chance to Maddy Green at mid-on for 8 to give Leigh Kasperek her first scalp, who was varying her pace and causing a few problems, to make it 57-2.

Heather Knight joined Beaumont, who expertly anchored the first half of the England innings, as the opener played fluently for 67 from 76 deliveries, which included eight fours.

Knight was caught by Katey Martin off the bowling of Holly Huddleston before Beaumont fell lbw to Jess Watkin to make it 149/4. Nat Sciver (54 from 58 deliveries) then took over from Beaumont as the tormentor-in-chief to end her baron run in ODIs. She stuck around to notch her first ODI fifty since the ICC Cricket World Cup final last year.

At 186/5 after 35 overs, England had lost many of their prize scalps but were still ticking along at comfortably over five runs an over.

Despite Sciver’s departure – caught brilliantly by Suzie Bates at mid-off off the bowling of Kasperek – Kathryn Brunt and Georgia Elwiss offered lower-order resistance, the former with a measured 25 from 40 balls and the latter with 18 not out from 24, as England ushered themselves into what proved to be an unassailable target.

Danielle Wyatt, in for Lauren Winfield, fell to Lea Tahuhu, Laura Marsh was trapped lbw by Watkin, George was run out by Amelia Kerr and Devine accounted for Ecclestone, with Bates claiming another catch. England had failed to bat out their overs but they entered the break knowing it would take something special from the visitors to top their efforts.

In the second innings, George claimed the wicket of Devine as the opener skewed a soft chance to cover to make it 20/1, before also bowling Amy Satterthwaite. When Katey Martin was trapped lbw by Brunt, New Zealand were rather vulnerable at 35/3.

Bates and Green rebuilt, but it was a gradual ushering into respectability rather than the fireworks that were required if they were to snatch victory. Both batsmen scored at less than a run every two deliveries before they were undone by England’s impressive spinners. Bates was bowled by Laura Marsh before Brunt caught Green off the bowling off Ecclestone, who only conceded 14 runs from eight overs.

Eccleston then bowled Amelia Kerr, whose five runs came at a paltry strike-rate of 22.72, to make it 82/6. Jess Watkin was run out, Kasperek nicked behind off the bowling of Knight, and Lea Tahuhu was bowled by George as an England victory drew nearer.

Lower-order resistance was provided by Kate Ebrahim, who remained undefeated on 19 from 44 deliveries. She and Holly Huddleston delayed the inevitable to frustrate England for a short period before Ecclestone got the latter out lbw to round-off a fine individual and team performance.