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England cemented their dominance over New Zealand as Maia Bouchier‘s maiden international century and Sophie Ecclestone‘s five-wicket haul secured an insurmountable 2-0 lead in . Ecclestone’s 5/25 from nine overs played a pivotal role in bowling New Zealand out for a mere 141 in 41.5 overs, and Bouchier ensured a swift chase, leading England to victory with 25.3 overs remaining.
Sophie Ecclestone’s bowling brilliance
Ecclestone’s masterful bowling decimated New Zealand’s batting lineup. Despite ‘s top score of 43, New Zealand faltered as only four batters reached double figures. Early breakthroughs by Kate Cross and Lauren Filer left New Zealand struggling at 10/2 by the sixth over. Ecclestone’s introduction in the 12th over proved crucial, breaking a 46-run partnership between Sophie Devine and Kerr with a perfectly flighted delivery that led to Devine’s stumping.
Crucial interventions by England’s bowlers
Maddy Green, after a slow start, succumbed to a lofted shot to long-on. Charlie Dean‘s sharp turn ended Green’s innings, terminating a 58-run stand with Kerr. Brooke Halliday, who had performed w🃏ell in the previous match, was b♋owled by Ecclestone while attempting a sweep.
Ecclestone continued her dominance by dismissing Lauren Down with a delivery that turned past the bat, ending Down’s brief return to international cricket. Kerr, though reaching a career milestone of 2000 ODI runs, was subdued, and her dismissal initiated a collapse of seven wickets for 27 runs in just over 10 overs. Ecclestone’s haul was complemented by Alice Capsey, who took the final wicket, sealing New Zealand’s fate.
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Maia Bouchier’s century leads England to victory
Tammy Beaumont and Bouchier laid a strong foundation for England’s chase with a 73-run partnership. Despite Beaumont’s narrow run-out, Bouchier took charge, hitting a flurry of boundaries and maintaining composure to reach her century. With support from Nat Sciver-Brunt, Bouchier guided England to victory. In the final over, Bouchier skillfully handled Jess Kerr‘s deliveries, securing her century and ensuring England’s emphatic win.
Here’s how Fans reacted:
5/25 for Sophie Ecclestone. Absolute 𝓰Rockstar for England! 💪
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
Sophie Ecclestone is just phenomenal!!! Wow
— Bec (@bexg55)
England defeated Ne🅺w Zealand by 8 wickets in the 2nd O♓DI 🏏
Scorecard:
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
Sophie Ecclestone's 5-25 is a career-best in ODIs on home soil.
— Raf Nicholson (@RafNicholson)
Sophie Eꩵcclestone is Englꦬand’s cricket cheat code right now
— Georgie Heath🎙️ (@GeorgieHeath27)
My beloved are going backwards while virtually every other side is getting stronger. Maia Bouchier is a HUGE talent who we are seemingly unable to dismiss, Sophie Ecclestone is an absolute freak and overall, are an incredible side, but sadly at present we're not
— Simon Wood (@WoodOnWineNZ)
Stating the obvious S🐠ophie Ecclestone is world class a joy to watch her bowl
— Giles Joiner (@gilesjoiner)
Sophie 🔜Ecclestone is a Top 5 international spinner btw
— Frosty (@JoshFrosst)
🏴🇳🇿 ODI 🌺action at New Road this afternoon as England doubled their series lead over New Zealand.
Classy bowling from Sophie Ecclestone (amongst others) to limit the Kiwis to a modest score before Maia Bouchier brought up a magnificent century with the wiꦕnning runs!
— Matt Chedgzoy (@matt_dyfan)
A maiden international hundred for Maia Bouchier, aཧlso her first professional century. Completed with some solid counting. Lovely knock, only chasing 142.
— Nick Friend (@NickFriend1)
Incredible frไom @maiabouchier today, watching her improve over the last few years and this has been coming !! Hats off to who could have smashed that full toss 🎃out of the park yet didn’t and did an absolute solid for her team mate !!
— ElizabethBertStanley (@BertStanley)
The Mighty Boosh strikes again.
Mai♊a Bouchier made a magnificent unbeaten century to🎃 guide England to a comfortable win over New Zealand in the 2nd ODI.
— Gray-Nicolls (@graynics)
Back home after a lovely weekend in Worcester. Seen a totally dominant performanc✨e from the women of against New Zealand. Excellent 5-25 for & brilliant ton for @maiabouchier
— Matthew W Bryen (@MatthewWBryen)
//twitter.com/ALittleLauder/status/180745ꦜ1740276433310
Maia Bouchier is a proper player for England, and really fulf💯illing all the promise of success as a🃏 Vipers player.
Across her 11 ODIs she’s avera🐎ging 57.14 at a S/R of 112, and today’s century off 88 balls was some knock.
Brill🤪iant to see next generation starting to domi🎃nate.
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC)
Well batted @ma♏iabouchier 100 not out and great 🎃support from -selfless 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Nigel Newman (@NSmithNewmans)
GO ON THE MIGHTY BOOSH!!!
What a brilliant knock from Maia Bouchier
Fi💟rst century for England and first ever profe꧒ssionally century.
— Jack Rule (@JackRuleLD)
This has to be one of the best innings by . She's doing everything she can to get @maiabouchier the century. ❤️
— Katie Hughes 💙🇺🇦 (@Katie_Hughes78)
Also
This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.
