White Ferns stop the rot thanks to Satterthwaite

A brilliant Amy Satterthwaite century powered the White Ferns to a seven-wicket win against England at University Oval in Dunedin yesterday, ending their 11-game losing streak.

The veteran left-hander finally responded to captain Sophie Devine’s appeal for senior players to stand up with a classy innings, aided by a match-turning partnership with Amelia Kerr.

Having been set a target of 220, Satterthwaite and Kerr combined for the White Ferns’ highest fourth-wicket partnership in ODIs – 172 runs – with Satterthwaite finishing on 119 not out and Kerr 72 not out.

It was very much a consolation win for the White Ferns who had lost the first two games in the three-match series.

The pair formed a classic lefthand, right-hand combination as Satterthwaite cruised past 4000 runs in ODIs and Kerr used her impressive footwork and range of strokes to build a mature innings.

The White Ferns finished in complete control, winning with 20 balls to spare.

Earlier, the White Ferns’ bowlers kept England in check although a determined innings by opener Tammy Beaumont rescued the tourists. She was unbeaten on 88 as the final wicket fell, but the White Ferns were justifiably pleased about their bowling performance.

The wisdom of England’s decision to bat looked questionable as Jess Kerr dismissed Danni Wyatt in just the second over, but during the next hour the White Ferns toiled against the confident tourists.

Spinner Amelia Kerr looked threatening at times with her flight and variation, but Beaumont was in excellent touch, anchoring the innings expertly.

The White Ferns also found Heather Knight a handful before she was dismissed for 60.

The wickets tumbled around Beaumont at regular intervals, and Sophie Devine’s introduction to the attack brought two key dismissals in England’s middle order, exposing the start of the tail with about 10 overs remaining.

The White Ferns’ ability to frustrate England slowed their run rate and Hayley Jensen delivered a beautiful slower ball to trap Ecclestone, caught smartly by Katey Martin.

That reduced England to 190-7 and gave the White Ferns the chance to keep the tourists to a reasonable total on the ground famous for its short boundaries.

However, Beaumont continued to be the thorn on their side, whacking Frankie Mackay for two fours in a row and taking her for 12 runs in one over.

A dropped catch by Nat Dodd with England on 217-8 denied Jess Kerr another wicket but her sister Amelia would not be denied, cleaning up the tail to finish with figures of 4-42.