White Ferns fail to bear Brunt as England coasts to victory

Player of the match takes 3-6 as host team again proves too strong for New Zealand

England comprehensively defeated New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday to become the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 champions with a superb six-wicket win.

The side proved why it is the world number one, adding the trophy to an already glittering collection including the ICC Women’s World Cup and the Ashes.

Pace bowler Katherine Brunt’s career-best 3-6 proved far too good for the New Zealand top order blowing away the side for 85, easily its lowest total of the competition.

Brunt, who picked up the player of the match award, contributed a sublime spell of accurate and hostile out-swing bowling, reducing New Zealand to 23-4, a position from which it could not recover.

Claire Taylor yet again played a fine innings to take England home with an unbeaten 39, although she was spilled on nought by wicketkeeper Rachel Priest off the bowling of Kate Pulford.

Taylor picked up the player-of-the-tournament award immediately afterwards for her 199 runs, with many innings proving crucial.

“It was a lot easier than I thought it would be,” said England captain Charlotte Edwards. “Our bowling attack bowled superbly well, it was their best performance of the tournament.

“Obviously you want good games for TV, but today was about winning and I’m really proud. It would have been nice to have had a good game for TV, but we’ve won a World Cup and that’s all I’m worried about.”