NZ W VS IN W ODI

So, a win here means New Zealand Women wrap up the series as they go 3-0 up but we still have two more matches to go. The fourth ODI will be played on 22nd February at 3:30 am (10 pm GMT, previous day). Do join us early for the build up. Till then, goodbye!

Sophie Devine, the victorious skipper of New Zealand, says that they have played outstanding cricket. Mentions that the batters handled the run chase very well. Tells that they are not afraid of chasing down big scores. Adds that they have set high standards in the field. States that they are working as a team and are performing with consistency. Tells that they want to continue the trend of scoring 270+. Informs that she would have liked to get some runs too. Ends by saying that she is proud of the team.

Mithali Raj, the skipper of India, says that they didn't get the partnerships they needed in the middle order. Tells that Deepti Sharma batted really well. Mentions that their batting is doing very well but they need to work on their fielding. Jokes by saying at the end of the series they'll post 300 runs.

Lauren Down is the Player of the Match for her match-winning innings of 64. She says that it is really nice to get out there and get some runs. Mentions that she wasn't feeling much pressure and she just tried to keep it simple. Tells that it is nice to guide the team home in a record chase. Adds that they know India will come back hard on them in the next two games as they are a quality side. Says that they will celebrate this victory but will focus on their upcoming games as well.

... The presentation...

Jhulan Goswami led the bowling compartment and after taking both the openers things dried up for them. They took wickets at regular intervals but also let the partnerships to build up. Amy Satterthwaite was dropped twice and that did not help India much. Although all the bowlers took a wicket each, no one got the big breakthroughs. Mithali Raj did well to shuffle her troops but still, she will feel they were 15-20 runs short.

The pitch was batting friendly and New Zealand made most of it. Both the openers early on went without troubling much. It was then the partnership between Amelia Kerr and Amy Satterthwaite of 103 that helped the White Ferns to steady the ship. Both fell and then it was another big partnership that took them near to the chase. Lauren Down and Katey Martin combined to put 76 runs. The latter fell and it was in the hands of Lauren Down to take her team over the line. She brought up her fifty and was also well supported by Frances Mackay. In the end, her knock turned out to be a match-winning one. A wonderful knock by Lauren Down and she helped her team seal the series.

A hard-fought victory for New Zealand Women and they also seal the 5-match ODI series by going 3-0 up. This is also the second-highest successful chase in the history of the Women's ODI. India gave a good fight but failed to get over the line.

SIX! BANG! Why play a whole over when you can get it done in just a single ball. 6 runs were needed and Lauren Down says no problem, Dances down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and hammers it straight over the bowler's head for a maximum. Takes her side home in style and New Zealand Women seal the series as well. They win by 3 wickets!

A yorker, on middle. Frances Mackay clips it to deep square leg. She pushes hard for the second run and gets it easily. What a great 49th over for New Zealand Women! 12 runs off it and they just need 6 runs in the final over.

In the blockhole, outside off. Lauren Down jams it out to point for a single.

FOUR! Outstanding placement and the timing was perfect! Length ball, outside off. Lauren Down stands still and swings it to long off for a boundary. Is that the game?

A yorker, on middle. Frances Mackay digs it out to the off side and scampers through.

Full and outside off, Frances Mackay tries to scoop it over but fails to get any bat on it this time.

FOUR! Beauty! Length ball, on off. Frances Mackay uses her feet and tonks it towards the vacant long on region for a boundary.

Again! Loopy ball, outside off. Lauren Down misses her cut. 18 needed off the final two overs! This game is going right down the wire.

Flighted ball, outside off, Lauren Down flashes her bat at it but misses. Taniya Bhatia whips the bails off but Down was inside the crease.