Ferns clinch another thriller,
The White Ferns have finished off an impressive series sweep over India with another thrilling victory in the third and final Twenty20 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Once again, the game came down to the final ball, and this time Leigh Kasperek’s winning contribution came with the ball rather than the bat — restricting India’s Mithali Raj to just a single when she needed a boundary for victory.
That secured a 3-0 series triumph which seemed unlikely after India had looked potent during their ODI series victory.
But after some unimpressive batting displays during that series, the White Ferns stepped up in the shorter format, and notched a challenging 161-7 batting first yesterday.
Sophie Devine was the star for the White Ferns, blasting 72 from 52 balls at the top of the order. The powerful all-rounder struck eight fours and two sixes in her knock, and put together handy partnerships with Suzie Bates (24 from 18 balls) and the promoted Hannah Rowe (12 from nine).
The best stand was with captain Amy Satterthwaite, though, with the pair adding 71 for the third wicket as the skipper contributed 31 from 23 balls. At one point, a score closer to 180 looked possible, but some decent death bowling from the visitors ensured boundaries were at a premium in the final overs, and the Ferns had to settle at 161.
That didn’t look enough when Indian superstar Smriti Mandhana shone once again. Her contributions on this tour have been immense — smashing 105 and 90 in the first two ODIs, then carving 58 and 36 in the first two Twenty20s.
Yesterday’s knock was the 22-yearold’s most devastating yet, smoking 86 from 62 balls as India cruised through to 91-2 at the halfway point of their chase. She struggled for support, though, and with Amelia Kerr (1-26) and Devine (2-21) exceptionally economical in their four overs apiece, the required run rate crept back up.
When Devine finally claimed the massive scalp of Mandhana, India needed 39 runs from 27 balls, and a partnership between Raj and Deepti Sharma got them only within 16 with one over remaining.
Kasperek was tasked with being the hero again, and while her first three balls went for nine runs, she held her nerve, denying a boundary off the final ball to seal a deserved series sweep.
Devine paid credit to her teammates’ resolve when it looked like the contest might have got away from them.
“It was pretty tough going. When Smriti came out, she made it look pretty easy,” said Devine. “Credit to them and credit to the girls for sticking with it. We saw in the first game how quickly a Twenty20 match can change, so we knew we just needed to stick with it.”
The White Ferns now prepare for a three-match ODI series in Australia, which starts on Friday, February 22, with bowler Rosemary Mair the new face in the 14-strong squad. Coach Haidee Tiffen is confident of producing some strong performances.
“It’s about working through the ups and downs of ODIs — the hunger and desire is there to step up against Aussie in their own back yard.”