4.27pm So, a curious scorecard for England. Knight 89, Beaumont 44, Brunt 43... the rest... not so much. Jess Kerr was a star with three wickets, but Lea Tahuhu's two-wicket return was probably the big plus for New Zealand. Back shortly!
This ODI is also notable for the launch of the Bristol arm of the ACE Foundation, the fine initiative launched by Ebony Rainford-Brent to address the 75% decline in black participation in cricket since 1995. It began at The Oval and has already been taken up in Birmingham. A vitally important initiative.
MikeB: "Sorry Charlie!" We are all judging you, Mike...
S Ecclestone run out 5 (18m 6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 83.33
CE Dean lbw b Kerr 1 (5m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
Kerr will finish things off. 250 looks like the limit of England's ambition
END OF OVER:49 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | ENG-W: 241/8 | RR: 4.91
- Charlie Dean1 (1b)
- Sophie Ecclestone5 (6b)
- Sophie Devine10-0-57-2
- Jess Kerr9-1-42-2
MikeB: "Also, I can understand sending Brunt in ahead of Charlie Dean, and just about Ecclestone, but Cross as well (with a career S/R of 32)? Doesn't Dean usually bat 4/5? You'd expect her to be able to give it a whack for a few overs!" Here she is now... with licence to lump it!
KL Cross c Halliday b Devine 5 (8m 5b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
MikeB: "What happened to NZ's allrounder wunderkind Amelia Kerr?" I believe she's taken a break for this tour
END OF OVER:48 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | ENG-W: 236/7 | RR: 4.91
- Kate Cross4 (2b)
- Sophie Ecclestone3 (3b)
- Jess Kerr9-1-42-2
- Leigh Kasperek10-0-48-1
Hiren: "Can newzealand women chase 250 plus score on this ground against a good bowling attack of England women?" That is the big question