Sophie Ecclestone spins England to series victory over New Zealand

Sophie Ecclestone’s four-wicket haul set England up for a six-wicket win, as the home team wrapped up the series against New Zealand with two matches to spare.

‌Spin is England’s super strength. Spearheaded by the No 1-ranked T20 bowler in the world in Ecclestone, they also boast the off-spin of Charlie Dean and the leg-spin of Sarah Glenn to give them a perfectly balanced, three-pronged attack fit for all conditions.

‌Ecclestone’s four for 25 was the second-best figures of her career, but it was the overall contribution of the trio that stifled New Zealand and restricted them to just 141.

Between the three of them, they claimed five wickets and conceded only 57 runs from their combined 11 overs. Glenn’s economy rate across the course of the series has been a superb 4.5.

‌“They’re the best in the world”, said Alice Capsey, who saw England home with 67 off 60 balls, her highest T20I score. “You’ve got Ecclestone who’s been No 1 for many many years, Dean who’s coming in and taking wickets pretty much every over she bowls and Glenny doing Glenny things. They’re so consistent and they’re a real staple for our team, they just control the fielding innings so well.

‌“I know that I’d definitely prefer to have them on my team than against them. I know every time Ecclestone has bowled at me she’s probably got me out. They’re outstanding and they’ve won us a hell of a lot of games.”

‌It bodes well for England as they build towards the World Cup in Bangladesh this October, where spin is expected to play a major role. In the first match of this series, England picked Linsey Smith as a fourth frontline spinner, as Heather Knight’s team have aimed to experiment with as many combinations as possible before the tournament arrives.

‌One of those combinations this evening was regular captain Knight sitting out, with Nat Sciver-Brunt captaining in her place. “It was just one of those ‘what if’ situations in Bangladesh if Heather got ill,” Capsey said of Knight’s absence.

‌England’s six-wicket margin of victory, however, flattered to deceive. Against the odds, New Zealand’s bowlers put in their best performance of the series and restricted England to needing 29 off the final three overs – and with Capsey and Amy Jones struggling for fluency, it looked a total that could quickly become out of reach.

‌But in the crucial moment, New Zealand fluffed their lines as captain Sophie Devine, usually so reliable, dropped a simple chance from Jones at mid-off. Off the very next ball, Capsey advanced down the wicket and struck Amelia Kerr for six. Twenty nine needed off 17 with a new batter at the crease, instead turned to 22 off 17 and a cruise to the finish line. In the space of two balls, an evening of hard work for the visitors was gone, and so too was the series.

‌The fourth match of the series takes place on Saturday at The Oval.