3rd ODI: England 181-7; NZ 141-4. NZ win by 17 runs (DLS)
New Zealand secured a victory in the final one-day international at Cardiff on Saturday, winning by six wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method to level the series 1-1 and share the ICC Championship points. England’s Lauren Bell initially reduced New Zealand to 40 for three, but she suffered a scare ahead of next month’s World Cup when she collapsed during her follow-through and briefly left the field for treatment.
Bell returned to bowl the 26th over of New Zealand’s run chase, but the umpires soon halted play due to rain. By that time, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, and Izzy Gaze had batted with enough composure and assertiveness to put New Zealand well ahead on the DLS target.
This match will be the only women’s international held in Cardiff in 2026. Welsh cricket authorities have reportedly expressed frustration over being denied hosting rights for a World Cup that is nominally an England and Wales event but is not truly shared.
Rain Delays and Match Interruptions
The day was marked by frustrating interruptions, including a one-hour delayed start and a two-and-a-half-hour rain delay in the mid-afternoon. However, unlike Wednesday’s washout at Northampton, enough overs were played to constitute a match. The persistent cloud cover benefited the two swing bowlers, Jess Kerr and Lauren Bell.
England’s 21-year-old Jodi Grewcock faced Kerr’s opening spell and appeared unsettled, resembling a "rabbit caught in the headlights." She was dropped behind the stumps on zero before keeper Izzy Gaze eventually caught her out in the 11th over.
New Zealand’s Batting Response
In reply, New Zealand’s top three batters were all dismissed leg-before wicket by Bell. Notably, none of these dismissals were reviewed using the Decision Review System (DRS). Despite this shaky start, this New Zealand side displayed greater resilience compared to their previous England tour in 2024, when they failed to win a match. The middle order showed determination, understanding that preserving wickets was crucial to staying competitive against the par score.
England’s Innings and Key Partnerships
England reached 181 for seven wickets, a total achieved around the rain interruptions. Fielding conditions were challenging, with players slipping and sliding on the wet ground. After play resumed, Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp accelerated the scoring rate, combining for a 50-run partnership at a run-a-ball pace. Amy Jones contributed with a couple of elegant drives.
Farewell to Suzie Bates
This match held added significance as it marked the final ODI appearance of Suzie Bates, one of the greats of 50-over cricket. At 38 years old, Bates has had a distinguished career spanning 20 years, accumulating nearly 6,000 runs in 184 matches. She will retire after the upcoming World Cup.
Sometimes, illustrious careers conclude quietly rather than spectacularly, and this was the case at Cardiff. Bates bowled two overs of slow, gentle off-spin—a style she adopted following shoulder surgery in 2020, having previously been a medium pacer—but did not take a wicket. With the bat, she showcased a single on-drive for four and carefully played around a straight delivery from Bell, adding 12 runs to her remarkable career total.
She received a standing ovation from the crowd. Known for prioritizing the team over individual accolades, Bates will likely find greater satisfaction in the team’s positive result.
