BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC- Stand-in captain Jenny Gunn and all-rounder Natalie Sciver exploded in a combined bowling offensive as England stormed back to annihilate New Zealand by 19 runs in the fifth match of the Women’s Twenty20 International Tri-Series on Tuesday at Kensington Oval here.
Gunn, leading England for the injured Charlotte Edwards and Sciver shared nine wickets by unleashing a merciless bowling assault to nullify a New Zealand run chase that had a promising start.
The white ferns were bowled out for 106 runs, significantly shy of the 126 scored by England who have now sealed their spot in the finals of the tournament.
New Zealand, who needed victory to keep alive their chances and to delay West Indies hopes of advancing, started the chase with a 31 run opening stand between Captain Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite.
Even when Satterthwaite swung a ball to deep mid-wicket and was caught for 16 and Bates and Sophie Devine consolidated to add 45 runs for the second wicket, New Zealand appeared on course for victory.
Bates top scored with 45 and Devine 25 and their departure, under the pressure of a sustained two-prong bowling attack, sparked a complete batting collapse that saw the last seven wickets falling for the addition of just 9 runs.
Gunn finished with five wickets for 18 runs and was on the verge of a hat trick after Nicola Browne and Sian Ruck perished in successive deliveries.
Sciver grabbed four wickets for 21 runs including a hat trick which claimed the scalps of Maddie Green, Erin Bermingham and Frances Mackey with the score on 102.
England, without captain Charlotte Edwards due to injury, slumped to 73 for four after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
However Danielle Wyatt and Sciver played responsible innings in an effort to swing the momentum back in England’s favour.
