Hamilton: Like the way their men’s cricket team beating India by eight wickets in the fourth ODI, the Kiwi women thrashed the Indian eves by an identical margin in the third and final ODI here Friday. However, it was of no use as India had already won the series by winning the first two games.
Captain Mithali Raj, playing a record 200th ODI Friday, had spoken about the importance of a clean sweep going into the game but her team could muster only 149 after being put in to bat. The White Ferns chased down the target in 29.2 overs to register a morale-boosting win.
Deepti Sharma (52, 90b, 4×4), batting at No.3, was the only one to make a significant contribution with the bat. India collapsed to 149 all out in 44 overs after being at 117 for four in the 35th over.
“I am happy with the first series win in New Zealand. I am happy that youngsters like Deepti (Sharma) and Jemimah (Rodrigues) got runs. We definitely wanted to try a few things. The bowlers have done well through the tournament. But today we didn’t get enough runs,” Mithali said in the post-match presentation.
New Zealand off-spinner Anna Peterson (4/28) did the maximum damage while pacer Lea Tahuhu (3/26) supported her well.
“We talked a lot about pride and just wanted to bounce back. Really glad that we did. But probably took us a little bit too long,” said Kiwi skipper Amy Satterthwaite.
With in-form opener Smriti Mandhana departing early, none of the other Indian batswomen could provide support to Deepti. Only Harmanpreet Kaur (24) looked like getting some runs did not get to bat.
A solid knock was expected from Mithali on her 200th ODI but she scored only nine.
New Zealand chased down the target with ease with veteran Susie Bates (57, 64b, 8×4, 1×6) and Satterthwaite (66 n o, 92b, 9×4, 1×6) getting fine half centuries.
Indian batswoman Smriti Mandhana was named Woman of the Series for her knocks of 105 and 90 in the first two ODIS
The three-match T20 series will begin February 6 in Wellington.
PTI