England women claim third T20 victory and series win

England women claimedthe Twenty20series with a 10-run victory over New Zealand ina rain-reduced third T20 at Eden Park today.

Despite the early loss of wickets England managed to post a competitive 108 for six off their twenty overs.In reply the White Fernsreached90 for sixwhen rain stopped playwith seven balls remaining.

Kent's Laura Marsh and Charlotte Edwards could not repeat Sunday’s performance as Marsh went for a golden duck,scooping to mid-wicket and Edwards followed as she top edgeda pull shot.

Sarah Taylor and Arran Brindle were runoutin consecutive balls in the following over. Taylor was unluckyin her dismissal, backing upshe was caught short of her groundwhen Lydia Greenway hit straight back to Frances Mackay who flicked the ball onto the stumps.

Despite the tourists'rocky start Kent duoofGreenway and Tamsin Beaumont rebuiltfor England,putting on a 46-run partnership before Beaumont edged a ball onto her stumps in the14thover. After adding 26 and restoring control for England,Greenwaywasrunoutin the following over.

Jenny Gunn showed composure as she put on a quick-fire 30 not out, lofting the only six of the innings in a 46-run partnership with Susie Rowe who finished on 15 notout. The pair brought the host’s innings to a close on 108 for six.

Anya Shrubsole was in form once again and broke up the hosts' rapid start, bowling Mackay in the sixth over.

The tourists continued to exert the pressure as Suzie Bates skied one which Taylor caught comfortably. With the hosts on 60 for two England remained disciplined as Danielle Wyatt had Sara McGlashan caught behind by Taylor.

After Katie Perkins was run-out by Shrubsole in the17th over, New Zealand needed 24 runs from the 18 remaining balls. The task proved too much for the hosts as they collapsed with Wyatt claiming a second scalp and Danielle Hazell picking up2-22.

Rainprevented the final seven deliveriesbeing bowled and following Duckworth-Lewis calculations England claimed a 10-run victory.

Player of the match Jenny Gunn said: “It was great to win the series today.It was a hard fought one but we didn’t panic and I felt we were always in control.

“We all bat right down the order so it takes the pressure off when you come in needing runs. It was great to score runs in a game like that and it was really good to get a partnership going with Susie Rowe, hit a few boundaries and get some momentum to take into our bowling.

“Our bowlers performed well again and were backed up in the field. We’re delighted to go three nil up and win the series and will be looking for a whitewash in the final two games in Invercargill.”

The fourth T20 of the series will be played at Queens Park, Invercargill on Saturday.

Highlights of all matches can be viewed on the New Zealand Cricket website

England women match schedule

Saturday 25 February, 4^th T20 Queens Park, Invercargill 1400 (0100 GMT)

Sunday 26 February, 5^th T20 Queens Park, Invercargill 1400 (0100 GMT)

Thursday 1 March,1^st ODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University1030 (2130 Wed 29^th Feb GMT)

Saturday 3 March,2^nd ODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University 1030 (2130 Fri 2^nd March GMT)

Monday 5 March, 3^rdODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University 1030 (2130 Sun 4^th March GMT)