England captain Heather Knight admits her side needed more composure after a staggering collapse handed New Zealand victory in the third T20 in Nelson. (More Cricket News)
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls wit♛h eight wickets in hand, seemingly cruising in their pursuit of 156, when Maia Bouchier’s dismissal triggered the loss of six wickets for 25 runs.
Knight’s side needed eight runs from the final over but Suzie Bates o🦹nly conceded four as the White Ferns cut England’s lead to 2-1 in the five-match series.
“A lot of goo♐d stuff and a quite frustrating end,” K🐟night told TNT Sports.
“We needed to be a bit more smart and show compo꧑sure at the back end.
“Maia batted outstandingly. She came out with the intent we wanted and showed 𓄧her class.
“A frustrating one not to f🔥inish off but remembering we are an inexperienced group and are missing a few players. Those girls will learn a hell of a lot.🔯”
Bouchier made 71 from just 47 balls, sharing a second-wicket stand of 93 with Tammy Beaumont to put England in contr▨ol, but whe🅠n the two departed to leave England 127 for three the wheels came off.
Knight, Amy Jones and Bess Heath all fell quickly, with Hollie Arm🤪itage and Charlie Dean also departing in the final𒐪 over as New Zealand claimed a three-run victory.
Earlier, skipper Sophie Devine made 60 and shared a 99-run partnersh💛ip with Amelia Kerr (44no) as New❀ Zealand posted 155 for three from their 20 overs.
Armitage made her England debut ওas a concussion substitute after Sarah Glenn hit her head in the field and had to be replaced.
England hope to have Danni Wyatt, Alice Capsey, Sophie Ecclestone and Nat Sciver-Brunt back and available for Wednesday’s fourth match in Weᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚl𝔉lington after their participation in the Women’s Premier League.
