England Dominates New Zealand to Seal T20 Series Win Ahead of World Cup
England secured a decisive seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20 at Hove on Monday, clinching the series 2-1 with a stunning bowling performance that restricted their opponents to just 80 runs. New Zealand, after opting to bat, collapsed dramatically, losing five wickets for just four runs in a mere 20 balls, plummeting from 29-1 to 34-6 by the sixth over. Stand-in captain Charlie Dean led the charge with impressive figures of 3-13, while all-rounder Dani Gibson matched her with 3-14, marking a career-best performance. Key moments included Gibson dismissing Kiwi captain Melie Kerr (5) and star player Sophie Devine (0) in a single over, showcasing her prowess. England's bowling unit proved effective, including: Linsey Smith (2-15) Sophie Ecclestone (1-11) Ecclestone's return to form was notable as she bowled Izzy Sharp with a stunning delivery. England's chase featured contributions from Sophia Dunkley (22) and Heather Knight (18), while Maia Bouchier (19 not out) and Freya Kemp (7 not out) sealed the win in 13.5 overs despite a slow start. Looking ahead, England will face India in a three-match T20 series beginning Thursday at Chelmsford, as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup from June 12 to July 5. The team hopes to have regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt back from her calf injury, having missed the New Zealand series and the upcoming fixtures against India. In contrast, New Zealand's batting woes continued as they failed to replicate their previous comeback, where Devine and Maddy Green had rescued the team from a precarious 11-4. The collapse in Hove saw Jess Kerr (20) and Gaze (17) as the only notable contributors, with England's bowlers and fielders executing a dominant display that left New Zealand's innings in tatters.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-05-25