NZ Women vs ENG Women, 3rd ODI at Bristol, ENG v NZ (W), Jul 03 2024 - Match Result

8.45pm England have cruised home but at one point, the chase was wobbly. But they found a saviour in Nat Sciver-Brunt whose partnership with Amy Jones proved game-changing. When Jones fell, New Zealand may have smelt a whiff of an opportunity, but they couldn't quite capitalise. Plummer put down Sciver-Brunt in the same over with England needing 49. It may have just cost New Zealand a morale-boosting win.

But they can be encouraged by this performance. For the first time in the series, New Zealand's batting challenged England. They kept counter-punching despite losing wickets to post 211 in a rain-shortened game. Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr led their recovery after a top-order wobble yet again, before Lauren Bell left her mark on the game with a maiden five-for in ODIs to restrict them.

For her series tally of 186 runs including a maiden ODI century in the second game, Maia Bouchier is the Player of the Series. "One of the bigger strengths of my game is timing, try not to force it on wickets like that. For me going into this last game, wanted to keep that consistency going. I love batting with Tammy, she's so experienced and fun to bat with, good communication in the middle, we run well between the wickets too. I dreamt of the hundred for a long time, for it to come in the 2nd ODI, couldn't be happier."

Lauren Bell is Player of the Match for her 5 for 37, which included the wickets of Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine. "They built partnerships really well, but I was clear about what was needed on this wicket. Have made a few changes to the mental side of my game, the skill's been there. Sophie having a rest today meant few of us had a big job to do."

England captain Heather Knight: "Really happy, handled pressure well after the Kiwis bowled really well in the powerplay. Partnership between Amy and Nat, they pulled us out of a tricky spot. Capsey finished off the game, she was also quite tight with the ball. Lovely to have that attack, Lauren has been bowling well last couple of games."

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine: "We showed a bit of resilience in this game. Spoken of how hard we've worked over the past 2-3 months, a couple of results don't define us as a team. We had to be at out best today. We've spoken openly about development phase, younger players, we need to start asking a lot more of them and they've been open to it. Lot of players are learning on the job, some of them have played just 1-2 seasons of domestic cricket, they have my full backing, we are getting better, just need a bit of time. T20 cricket brings teams closer, looking forward to it."