England Women suffer defeat against New Zealand in Nelson

Maia Bouchier scored her first IT20 half century as England Women were beaten in their third encounter of a five-match series against New Zealand with the hosts winning by three runs at Saxton Oval, Nelson.

The result means England lead the series by two games to one with two matches remaining.

Heather Knight named an unchanged side to the team who beat the White Ferns at the same venue on Friday.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat.

Openers Suzie Bates and Bernadine Bezuidenhout’s partnership racked up 44 before the former was dismissed by Sarah Glenn.

Skipper Devine impressed with the bat, hitting 60 off 37 balls while Amelia Kerr recorded 44 meaning the hosts ended their innings on 155-3, Danielle Gibson taking two wickets.

Tammy Beaumont and Maia Boucher’s partnership of 84 set England on their way with the latter hitting 71 off 47 balls which included 11 fours and one six.

New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr ran out Knight before quick wickets left the visitors 6-25 and the match set for a tense finish as England needed eight runs off the last over but just fell short.

White Ferns veteran Bates claimed two wickets for four runs as England fell just shy at 152 for 8.

Knight's outfit return to action on Wednesday 27 March where they take on the White Ferns in Wellington in their fourth of this five-match IT20 series.

Tammy Beaumont’s post-match press conference is available to watch and download here.

England Women's Fixtures and Results

New Zealand Women v England Women fixtures (all timings in GMT)

19 March - 1st IT20 - Dunedin – England won by 27 runs

22 March - 2nd IT20 - Nelson – England won by 15 runs

24 March - 3rd IT20 - Nelson – New Zealand won by three runs

27 March - 4th IT20 - Wellington - 1am

29 March - 5th IT20 - Wellington - 1am

31 March - 1st ODI - Wellington - 11pm

3 April - 2nd ODI - Hamilton - 11pm

6 April - 3rd ODI - Hamilton - 11pm

ENDS