England’s bid to end their one-day international series victory over New Zealand as quickly as possible was hampered by the weather, with Wednesday’s match in Northampton called off.
England looked set to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match contest after a nerve-wracking one-wicket win in Sunday’s series opener in Durham, but stand-in captain Charlie Dean’s 31 points kept them over the line.
However, persistent rain and a wet outfield prevented any play in the Midlands, leaving the hosts with a 1-0 advantage heading into Saturday’s final in Cardiff (starting at 11am BST).
The players were ready to start the 32-over match at 4pm, but heavy rain interfered and the shortest possible match, a 20-over encounter, could not begin at Wantage Road before the 5:38pm cut-off.
Couldn’t play at Wantage Road on Wednesday
England added left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone and all-rounder Alice Capsey to their eleven, as well as young batsmen leg-spinner Jodie Grewcock (who made her debut at Chester-le-Street at the weekend) and seamer Lauren Filer.
England and New Zealand are the focus of the T20 World Cup
After the ODIs, England and New Zealand are scheduled to face off in three T20 internationals, starting with the derby on May 20, followed by matches at Canterbury (May 23) and Hove (May 25).
England will also play three national team T20 matches against India before starting their home T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston on Friday 12 June.
The hosts are hoping to have regular skipper Nat Cyber-Brunt back long before then, but the all-rounder is currently absent from the New Zealand ODI match with a minor calf issue.
England captain Nat Silver-Blunt is currently undergoing treatment for a mild calf problem.
England have not won a T20 World Cup since the first edition was held on home soil in 2009, and were eliminated in the group stage at the last tournament in the UAE in 2024.
New Zealand are the current Women’s T20 World Cup champions, having won their first title two years ago by defeating South Africa by 32 points in the Dubai final.
Watch the third and final ODI between England and New Zealand in Cardiff live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.30am (11am first pitch) on Saturday. Don’t have Sky? Get or stream Sky Sports now.
