White Ferns win last-ball thriller

The White Ferns have clinched the Twenty20 series against the West Indies after prevailing in a final-ball thriller in New Plymouth yesterday.

Chasing a target of 135, the Windies needed just five runs off the last over but Anna Peterson took two wickets and a run out as the visitors fell one run short.

The result ensured the White Ferns took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Despite a rollicking start by Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, the Windies would have been pleased to restrict the hosts to 134-7 at Pukekura Park.

Devine smashed three sixes on the way to 41 off just 18 balls before she was bowled by Hayley Matthews.

That triggered a mini-collapse as the home team went from 52-0 to 85-3 and they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

The one constant was Bates, who held the innings together with an unbeaten 52 (off 53 balls).

Leigh Kasperek led a solid start by the White Ferns attack with two quick wickets, while Amelia Kerr took another to leave West Indies on 43-3 in the seventh over.

Deandra Dottin (24) steadied the ship before Merissa Aguilleira (38 not out) and Kycia Knight (26) took their side to the brink of victory.

Needing 12 runs off as many balls and with six wickets in hand, the Windies were odds-on favourites to finish the job.

But the White Ferns built pressure with tight death bowling.

Devine conceded just seven runs from the penultimate over before Peterson’s sensational last act secured a remarkable result.

The fourth T20 is back at Pukekura Park tomorrow.