NZ clinches rain-hit win to level series with England in Cardiff
NZ clinches rain-hit win to level series with England in Cardiff
New Zealand defeat England by 17 runs via DLS in a rain-affected Cardiff ODI, levelling the series at 1-1 as Bell battles an injury and Halliday stars.
England posted 181-7 from their 50 overs before rain interrupted play for the day. New Zealand then faced a revised target under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method and were 141-4 when the weather curtailed proceedings, eventually sealing a 17-run win to level the three-match series at 1-1. The win came on the back of resilience under pressure, with NZ's middle order stepping up when it counted.
Lauren Bell, England’s pace bowler, led a lively start for the hosts, taking a three-wicket burst with the new ball and briefly sending the day in a different direction. She then picked up an injury scare, taking a hit on her left thumb during practice and briefly leaving the field, though stand-in captain Charlie Dean confirmed the blow was precautionary and Bell returned to bowl later in the innings.
New Zealand’s reply featured a steady alliance, with Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday and Izzy Gaze providing the backbone as the chase progressed under the pressure of weather-affected play. Halliday’s 42 was a crucial contribution, and the trio steadied the innings to keep NZ ahead on the revised target as the clock ticked down. A sharp moment came early when Jodi Grewcock survived a close call behind the stumps after Kerr’s opening spell, underscoring how tightly contested the match remained despite the delays.
This match also marks Cardiff’s sole women’s international of 2026, with organisers reportedly unhappy about hosting rights for a World Cup that felt more England-and-Wales in name than in practice. The interruptions and delays could not dampen the narrative, as New Zealand secured a pressure-filled win that sets up a compelling remainder of the season and momentum heading into the upcoming global tournament.
