England completed a clean sweep over New Zealand after a captain’s knock by Heather Knight inspired a 20-run victory in the fifth Vitality T20 international at Lord’s.
Knight’s team were back at the home of cricket for the first time since a dramatic Ashes win last July, but not as much was on the line with the five-match series already wrapped up.
The prospect of a 5-0 whitewash and the chance to secure a 13th win in 14 matches was up for grabs, but England collapsed to 87 for six and required Knight to hit 46 not out to guide them to 155 for seven.
Charlie Dean offered strong support with a crucial 24 before she backed this up with a two-wicket haul and Lauren Bell’s three for 21 restricted New Zealand to 135 for eight as England continued their unbeaten home summer.
Jon Lewis once again rotated with Sarah Glenn rested after her four-wicket haul at the Oval and Maia Bouchier recalled in one of four changes for the finale.
Bouchier had been out for a golden duck in the third T20I in Canterbury and opening partner Danni Wyatt suffered that fate after she pulled the excellent Fran Jonas to Amelia Kerr at deep midwicket.
It helped the White Ferns take control of this dead-rubber and despite Alice Capsey hitting two fours off Lea Tahuhu’s expensive 14-run over, Jonas returned to dismiss Bouchier as England reached 40 for two at the end of the powerplay.
Nat Sciver-Brunt signalled her intention with a sumptuous cover drive to the boundary, but she was Jonas’ third victim and it was a stunner as she stuck out her right hand to claim an outstanding caught-and-bowled opportunity.
Capsey followed after a patient 25 with her eagerness to up the ante proving her downfall after she was stumped from Eden Carson’s first ball.
It was down to captain Knight to steady the ship with England on 66 for four at the halfway mark, but wickets continued to fall with Carson accounting for Amy Jones before Jonas bowled Freya Kemp.
A misfield for four brought up the three-figure mark for England after 14 overs and Knight swept another away to the boundary rope before Dean timely struck back-to-back fours off Tahuhu.
It helped England up to a competitive total, with Knight able to delight a youthful Lord’s crowd with the first six of the night with a sweetly struck straight drive off Carson, which also marked a crucial 50-run partnership with Dean.
Dean departed in the next over to Jess Kerr after a pivotal hand of 24 off 19 balls, but Sophie Ecclestone flicked away for four as New Zealand were set 156 to deny England a whitewash.
Bell thought she had Suzie Bates out when she appeared to get a faint touch with the outside of her boot to Georgia Plimmer’s drive, which sent the ball crashing into the stumps, but it was ruled not out.
Three balls later and Plimmer was gone after she could only scoop Bell behind to Jones before Lauren Filer bounced Bates out.
New Zealand could only crawl to 31 for two after the powerplay, but runs started to flow more easily off spin duo Ecclestone and Dean.
It resulted in Knight going back to pace and the introduction of Kemp tempted White Ferns captain Sophie Devine to go big and yet she could only pick out Bouchier at long-on to reduce the tourists to 63 for three.
Brooke Halliday tried to shift the momentum and smashed a six off Ecclestone before Amelia Kerr ticked along nicely, with a maximum of her own off Kemp.
When New Zealand reached three figures after 15 overs, it left 56 runs to chase off 30 deliveries but Bell returned and sent down a wide delivery which Halliday edged behind for 25.
Dean capped a fine all-round display with two wickets in the 18th over, including Amelia Kerr stumped for 43, to ensure England continued to build momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup in October.
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