The resilience of Lea Tahuhu and Maddy Green provided New Zealand a three wickets win versus England. Batting first, the hosts England could only make 178 after a collapse triggered by Tahuhu. On the other, despite multiple wobbles, New Zealand women came through in the chase courtesy of Lea and Maddy.
England lost four for 27 with Tahuhu taking all the wickets. After a brief partnership by Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt, England saw themselves down eight for 101. However, allrounder Katherine Brunt and Kate Cross added 53 runs for the eighth wicket carrying the team to 154, and a late resistance by Tash Farrant, saw England somehow get to 178. Once again, the lower order rescued an innings that faltered early in the match. Brunt top-scored for England with an innings of 49 not out.
Brunt didn’t get done there and then wreaked havoc claiming two early wickets with her probing length. After losing two for 13, Amy Sattherwaite and Maddy Green lumped together 72 runs for the third wicket before Charlotte Dean removed Amy. Once again, Brunt roared for England and claimed the dangerous Sophie Devine at the score of 94.
Then Brooke Halliday and Green composed 52 runs before Farrant bowled Halliday with New Zealand still requiring 33 runs. Katey Martin and Hayley Jensen got out soon after and the latter got out to the on-song Brunt. But then Tahuhu had enough of this and she smacked two fours and a six straight back Farrant’s head to seal the deal. Maddy Green won Player of the Match for her 70 runs innings and New Zealand is now down one-two with two more games to play.
