England Women rise to second in race for 2017 World Cup place
Sunday 15th February 2015
England women's bid to reach the 2017 World Cup is still on track despite a 2-1 loss against New Zealand in round two of the ICC Women’s Championship(ICC WC).
With two points awarded for a win, England secured just two points from the three One Day International (ODI) matches against the White Ferns in Mount Maunganui this week – after winning the second encounter by 90 runs, but losing the first and third matches by 67 runs and nine wickets respectively.
England lost the third and final ICC WC fixture against New Zealand at the Bay Oval todaywith Kent's Laura Marsh recalled to the side which did not feature county colleague Lydia Greenway, who had played the first two matches of the series.
Kent and England captain Charlotte Edwards scored 40 in a opening stand of 71 with Heather Knight (79) before the tourists lost eight wickets for 84 runs to be restricted to 217 for nine after winning the toss.
The hosts recovered from the loss of skipper Suzie Bates (39) in style by chasing down the target with nine wickets to spare thanks to an unbeaten second wicket stand of 156 between Rachel Priest (96) and Amy Satterthwaite (76).
After the game, Charlotte Edwards said: “It is disappointing to have only secured two ICC Women’s Championship points from this round against New Zealand. International cricket is a testing environment and New Zealand have shown over these three matches that they are a very strong side, and will be tough to beat at home.
“We are however still in a good position in the ICC WC table, and everything will be to play for when we take on Australia in round three as part of the multi-format Women’s Ashes this summer.
“We still have three Twenty20 Internationals and two more ODIs to play during this tour over the next couple of weeks, so our focus in now on bouncing back, and winning those next five fixtures.”
England and New Zealand will now travel to Whangarei to play back-to-back T20 Internationals (T20I) at the Cobham Oval on February 19 and 20, before finishing the tour with a third T20I and two further ODIs on February 24, 26 and 28 at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.
Thanks to Don Miles and the ECB for the photos
England take on Australiaat The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrencein the only Women's Ashes Kia Test Match as part of an extended Canterbury Week this summer.
Entry to the Women’s Ashes Kia Test on August 11-14 and Kent v Australia men on June 25-28 is included in Kent All Rounder and Championship Plus Memberships and is an option for Six Pack package holders.
Members can also buy up to six guest tickets before the fixture goes on general sale in March 2015.