Green, Halliday star in New Zealand's series-levelling win

New Zealand claimed a 17-run win via the DLS method in the rain-affected third ODI at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Saturday to draw the three-match series 1-1. After a delayed start, another interruption during England's innings reduced the contest to 33 overs per side. Rain returned during New Zealand's innings, forcing an early end to the game with the result decided by the DLS method.

Jodi Grewcock returned to the side as England were asked to bat first. They were off to a slow start, losing Emma Lamb in the second over while managing 45 runs off the Powerplay. New Zealand kept chipping away at the wickets, dismissing Grewcock soon after the Powerplay and a well-set Heather Knight a few overs later. Rain returned and forced the players off the field for over two hours following the 17th over, with the contest then curtailed to 33 overs per side.

A 57-run partnership between Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp only delayed England's eventual capitulation as they ended up going from 123/3 to 127/6 in the space of three overs. Charlie Dean and Amy Jones later combined to keep England afloat with a 45-run stand as England reached 181/7 in 33 overs.

New Zealand were tasked with chasing a revised 184-run target. Playing her final ODI, Suzie Bates received an early reprieve after being dropped by Knight but her joy was short-lived as she was dismissed shortly thereafter. In fact, New Zealand were jolted early by Lauren Bell who struck thrice in three overs. She trapped all of Bates, Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr LBW to have visitors reeling at 40/3.

With the weather still threatening, Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday dug in with a crucial 57-run partnership to arrest New Zealand's slide. England broke the stand in the 18th over when Danielle Gibson bowled Green, but struggled to claw their way back into the contest. Halliday then added another 44 runs with Isabella Gaze as the White Ferns stayed ahead of the DLS par score before rain forced the players off the field for good, sealing a 17-run win via the DLS method for New Zealand.

Brief Scores: England 181/7 in 33 overs (Alice Capsey 45, Heather Knight 28; Bree Illing 2-29, Rosemary Mair 2-41) lost to New Zealand 141/4 in 24.4 overs (Brooke Halliday 42*, Maddy Green 37; Lauren Bell 3-29) by 17 runs (DLS).