Amy Satterthwaite, allround Amelia Kerr rise to occasion as New Zealand end winless streak

Amy Satterthwaite and Amelia Kerr finally came out all guns blazing as New Zealand ended their 11-match winless streak with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over England in the third and final ODI at the University Oval in Dunedin on Sunday (February 28).



The encounter was played in alert level 2 conditions following the government’s decision to put increased COVID-19 restrictions in place. Because of this reason, the three-match T20I series will be played behind closed doors.



In the process, Satterthwaite brought up her seventh ODI ton and also reached the 4000-run mark in this format of the game -- thus becoming the third New Zealander after Suzie Bates and Debbie Hockley to achieve that. She also became the 10th woman to score 4,000 runs in ODIs and second left-hand batter to that mark. The other is Karen Rolton.



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Chasing 221, to end their 11-match winless streak, New Zealand made a horrific start losing both their openers with just 15 runs on board. While Natalie Dodd was out for three, Hayley Jensen, who has been promoted as an opener in this series, could accumulate just eight.



Sophie Devine, who is going through a rare rough patch in the series, once again failed under 20, leaving it all for Satterthwaite and Amelia to do. The skipper earlier in the series has called for the seniors in the side to step up and on Sunday and there was no better day for Satterthwaite to rise to the occasion.



Joining the hands of Amelia when the team was reeling at 51 for 4, the duo stitched together an unbroken 172-run partnership for the fourth wicket to see their team home in 46.4 overs. It was also New Zealand's highest partnership for any wicket in an ODI against England.



The pair formed a classic righty-lefty combination with Amelia emerging as the most creative between the two with her impressive footwork and maturity in the middle during the pressure situations. Her 'Dilscoop' off a Kate Cross over short fine leg for a boundary was a treat to watch.



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On the other hand, Satterthwaite made most of her dropped chance by Sophie Ecclestone off her own bowling, as she looked in poise and control. She often came down the crease hitting the bowlers over the top and also belted two memorable sixes during that majestic innings to give Devine her first ODI win as captain.



Earlier, Tammy Beaumont continued in her same vein as she has been doing in 2021, scoring her third consecutive half-century in the series. Her 113-ball 88 not out bettered her previous two scores of 71 and 72 not out in the first and second ODIs respectively. She also became the first English batter to carry her bat in this format.



Batting first, England had a similar sort of start losing opener Danielle Wyatt cheaply to a vicious inswinger that she let come into her before gaining bounce taking the edge to wicketkeeper Katey Martin. Jess Kerr was the lucky bowler.



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In came the skipper Heather Knight and along with Beaumont steadied the ship with a 109-run partnership for the second wicket. The duo played took some time initially playing some calculated shots before Knight started to open her arms.



The England skipper used her feet very well against the likes of Jess, Hannah Rowe and Devine finding the gaps with ease. If Knight played the aggressive role, Beaumont’s innings was perfect assistance to her captain at the other end.



Not to forget, Knight survived two close DRS calls – one from Devine and another from Amelia Kerr. However, Knight wasn’t meant to stay for long as she finally surrendered in front of Amelia for an 82-ball 60. Natalie Sciver, who scored a brilliant 63 in the previous match also failed to capitalise on the start as she fell for just 12 off Brooke Halliday.



A couple of quick dismissals brought New Zealand back in the game, which at one time looked like England would go on to post close to the 300-run mark. Devine dismissed Fran Wilson and Lauren Winfield-Hill in quick successions while Jess had Amy Jones out as England slumped went down from 140/3 in the 29^th over to 184/6 in 40 overs.



On the other hand, Beaumont held onto one fort completing her half-century in 67 balls with back-to-back boundaries off Halliday. The way Beaumont was pacing her innings, it looked like she would bring up her eighth international ton, but the lack of assistance at the other end kept her not out at 88 as England finished at 220 all out inside 47 overs.



Amelia looked dangerous with her variations and flight – the one she dismissed Freya Davies with was a treat to eyes – but couldn’t castle Beaumont who was rock solid. She finished for 4/42 in her 8.5 overs while her sister Jess (2/27) and Devine (2/26) took two wickets each.



Brief scores: England 220 all out in 47.5 overs (Tammy Beaumont 88*, Heather Knight 60; Amelia Kerr 4/42) lost to New Zealand 223/3 in 46.4 overs (Amy Satterthwaite 119*, Amelia Kerr 72*) by seven wickets.