Summary

  • England beat New Zealand by seven wickets to win T20 series

  • White Ferns bowled out for 80 after winning toss and opting to bat

  • Impressive Gibson takes career-best 3-14, while Dean claims 3-13 and Smith 2-15

  • Cautious England take 13.5 overs to chase down target of 81

Have your say on England women this summer

  1. Postpublished at 17:25 BST 25 May

    So, a convincing series win for England but they have a short turnaround with another three games against India, starting on Thursday at Chelmsford.

    This is the series on which England's World Cup preparation will be judged - yes, New Zealand are defending champions but if England reach the semi-finals of the tournament, they will likely face one of India, Australia and South Africa under immense pressure.

    That first game starts at 18:30 BST, so make sure you join us for our coverage then.

    If you missed any of today's action, here's Timothy Abraham's match report. Bye for now!

  2. Postpublished at 17:22 BST 25 May

    England captain Charlie Dean: "That was a brilliant win for the girls today, it definitely makes my job easier when we pick-up early wickets. We learnt from that Canterbury game to be ruthless.

    "We had a different formula in that powerplay today, it's a credit to those girls. The seam bowling all-rounders bring so much. To have that in the squad it really balances our team. The girls are really chuffed to be contributing.

    "T20 cricket is a dynamic, high energy game and we try to bring real purpose with our fielding."

  3. Postpublished at 17:18 BST 25 May

    New Zealand captain Melie Kerr: "Yeah, it's a really disappointing way to finish. We've played some really good cricket in the series.

    "But it's better to get a performance like this out of the way now, than during the World Cup. We are losing too many wickets early, and losing them in clusters so we need to get better at starting well.

    "We bat deep which is exciting but we need to improve the powerplay.

    "There are a lot of positives to take, I've been really happy with our efforts in the field and Nensi Patel and Bree Illing have been exceptional with the ball. We don't want to rely on one or two players in the World Cup."

  4. Postpublished at 17:16 BST 25 May

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on Test Match Special

    When you bowl a team out for 80, your bowlers have done their job. Ultimately England want to win games of cricket, they'll win the crowd and fans back, the fact they were so dominant today will put smiles on people's faces.

  5. Postpublished at 17:14 BST 25 May

    Player of the series Linsey Smith: "I think backing my strengths, something that's worked for me is being really clinical in the powerplay, trying to not leave the stumps a lot and apply a lot of pressure.

    "Towards the back end they're looking for a lot more boundaries, so try not to be too predictable and get a few variations out.

    "It's really important in T20s to control out inputs and energy and trust each other. We've had a really good series in the field."

    Media caption,

    Smith gets England off to great start

  6. How's stat?!published at 17:12 BST 25 May

    Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    England have now won seven consecutive T20I series against New Zealand, going back to February 2012.

    Of the nine T20I bilateral series between these two series, England have won eight of them, and New Zealand winning just once in June 2010.

  7. Postpublished at 17:10 BST 25 May

    Player of the match, England's Dani Gibson: "It feels great. I've had a bit of time out so to come back in and make an impact feels really nice.

    "I want to be an all-rounder and perform in all three facets of the game for this team so to perform with the ball is amazing, I'm just so happy to be back out there.

    "I was looking to hit a hard length, mix up my pace. It was a really good all-round performance from everyone, spinners and seamers."

    Media caption,

    Kerr caught by Bouchier off Gibson's bowling

  8. Postpublished at 17:08 BST 25 May

    England have another three T20s coming up before the World Cup starts, taking on India which starts at Chelmsford on Thursday.

    That should be a tougher challenge and England will be hoping for that - they were well beaten at Canterbury but otherwise, were under very little pressure from New Zealand.

    Their batting line-up looks a little out of sorts without Nat Sciver-Brunt, so these next three games could be crucial in ironing out those issues. Sophia Dunkley could do with a score, Heather Knight and Maia Bouchier haven't been able to score quickly while Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson could do with some time in the middle to get their power-hitting going.

  9. Postpublished at 17:06 BST 25 May

    Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on Test Match Special

    Dominant today.

    England were under the pump a little bit after the second T20, and we've spoken a lot about how England cope under pressure. They set the tone brilliantly, Linsey Smith absolutely outstanding with the ball in the powerplay, backed-up by Dani Gibson getting the big three out.

  10. Postpublished at 17:03 BST 25 May

    Media caption,

    Kerr caught by Bouchier off Gibson's bowling

    It was all set up by England's bowlers.

    They lost control of things in the second T20 at Canterbury, but fought back brilliantly here to skittle New Zealand for just 80.

    Dani Gibson and Charlie Dean were fantastic with three wickets apiece, and two more for Linsey Smith.

  11. England win by seven wicketspublished at 17:00 BST 25 May
    Breaking

    A very convincing win for England, who take the series 2-1 against the defending world champions!

    Freya Kemp takes a quick single to mid-off and gets England over the line.

  12. Eng 79-2published at 13.3 overs

    Need 2 to win

    Short, wide and punished.

    Freya Kemp puts England within touching distance.

  13. Eng 73-3published at 13 overs

    Need 8 to win

    Maia Bouchier also has 18 from 28.

    I know England are chasing next to nothing, but I really think they could've played this with far more intent. They'll need it for the World Cup and for the India series which starts on Thursday.

  14. Postpublished at 16:55 BST 25 May

    Katey Martin
    Former New Zealand wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    In the last game, Heather Knight has played four reverse sweeps - three of them dot balls and this wicket. It's a shot she's good at, but the third-and-point fielder was perfectly placed.

  15. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 12.2 overs

    Knight c Patel b A Kerr 18 (Eng 71-3)

    Knight nails the reverse sweep but straight to backward point!

    Nensi Patel takes a very sharp catch, even though it was hit straight to her it was travelling quickly.

    18 from 22 balls for Heather Knight.

  16. Eng 71-2published at 12.1 overs

    And another!

    A full toss from Melie Kerr, and Knight drills through the covers for four.

    England are 10 runs away.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:52 BST 25 May

    Have your say using the 'Get Involved' button on this page

    I still get a nervous feeling watching this England side. There are plenty of players who on their day can make a difference, just not enough proven, consistent match winners.

    Nick in Rotterdam

  18. Eng 67-2published at 12 overs

    Target 81

    That's more like it.

    Heather Knight takes a step down the pitch and whips it through the leg-side for four.

  19. Eng 61-2published at 11 overs

    Target 81

    Just two more singles from Nensi Patel's second over. England are playing the situation and they know they'll win this easily, but would it have been worth them being a little more proactive?

    With the World Cup approaching, I wonder whether Gibson or Kemp could've been promoted up the order to give them some power-hitting experience in the middle.

  20. How's stat?!published at 16:43 BST 25 May

    Srinivas Vijaykumar
    CricViz analyst

    Bree Illing has by far been the quickest bowler in this T20I series with an average speed of 71.1 mph. A total of 83% of her deliveries have been quicker than 70 kph.

    With four wickets in the three T20Is so far, she's been the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand conceding at 5.27 rpo.

    Across both teams, she's been the most economical pace bowler, with only Linsey Smith (4.16) conceding at a lower economy rate.