England thrash New Zealand in tri-series final

England Women won the T20 tri-series final following a convincing seven-wicket success over New Zealand at Chelmsford yesterday.

Danielle Wyatt’s half century and 35 from Tammy Beaumont helped the hosts to victory with 17 balls remaining.

New Zealand, who won the toss and elected to bat, made 137 from their 20 overs, with England trio Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone and Danielle Hazell each taking two wickets.

England won both of their group encounters against the White Ferns in the tournament – which also included South Africa – but started slowly at the County Ground.

They made a breakthrough with 55 runs on the board – Brunt trapping New Zealand opener Sophie Devine lbw for 31, before removing her replacement Katey Martin in similar fashion two balls later.

Visiting captain Suzie Bates also made 31 but, after she was clean bowled by Ecclestone and Amy Satterthwaite was out lbw from a Hazell delivery, England encountered little resistance as the hosts ended their 20 overs with a modest total.

Wyatt and Beaumont put England in control with the bat, sharing an opening stand of 81.

The former hit 50 off 35 balls, including eight fours and a maximum, before a thick outside edge saw her caught by Leigh Kasperek off the bowling of allrounder Bates.

England were just 36 runs from victory when New Zealand took their next wicket, Beaumount hitting Amelia Kerr’s delivery down the pitch into the hands of Satterthwaite.

Kerr also bowled Sarah Taylor on the next ball, but it was inconsequential as Natalie Sciver’s 21 and 17 from captain Heather Knight took England over the line to leave them on 141 for three in the 17th over.