England Women clinch ODI series against New Zealand with match to spare

Tammy Beaumont scored 81 to help England seal a series-clinching 56-run win over New Zealand in the second of three one-day internationals at Seddon Park, Hamilton.

Heather Knight named an unchanged side to the team that secured victory in their opening ODI in Wellington.

England batted first with Beaumont’s total of 81 runs in 96 balls making a significant contribution which included a 70-run partnership with Knight.

New Zealand recovered, and after losing 6-59 which saw Jess Kerr dismiss Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt with two slower balls, Amy Jones impressed once more, scoring 48 as Knight’s side set their hosts a target of 253 to win.

New Zealand’s opening batters struggled to gain any momentum with Sciver-Brunt and Lauren Bell taking early wickets, Charlie Dean bowled Maddy Green lbw.

Brooke Halliday and Izzy Gaze recorded a 100 partnership for the fifth wicket but wickets from Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone helped set up victory for England as the home side were bowled out for 196 in the 45th over.

The two teams contest their final match of the series on Sunday at the same venue.

New Zealand Women v England Women fixtures (all timings in GMT)

19 March – 1st IT20 – Dunedin – England won by 27 runs

22 March – 2nd IT20 – Nelson – England won by 15 runs

24 March – 3rd IT20 – Nelson – New Zealand won by three runs

27 March – 4th IT20 – Wellington – England won by 47 runs

29 March – 5th IT20 – Wellington – England won by five wickets

31 March – 1st ODI – Wellington – England won by four wickets

3 April – 2nd ODI – Hamilton – England won by 56 runs

6 April – 3rd ODI – Hamilton