Bates century seals ODI series
The White Ferns have wrapped up the ODI series with a game to spare after a convincing eight-wicket win over the West Indies in Lincoln.
Captain Suzie Bates (101*) and Sophie Devine (80) put on a 175-run opening stand to help chase down the 195-run target with more than 19 overs to spare, after spinner Leigh Kasperek (4-44) and pace-bowler Lea Tahuhu (3-42) starred with the ball.
The White Ferns openers were in dominant form as Bates attacked from the outset with a flurry of early boundaries before Devine, who scored a century in the opening match, joined the party after enjoying the lion’s share of the strike.
The pair posted their second-consecutive fifty-run partnership of the series in the ninth over and then marched past the 100 run mark ten overs later.
Bates was first to raise the bat for a half century off 54 deliveries before Devine joined her moments later from 64 balls.
Devine didn’t quite make it to the end as she tried to get the job done in a hurry, but Bates went on to post her ninth ODI ton off just 85 balls before reaching the target.
The duo’s effort followed a much improved fielding display from the one run win in the opening ODI.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, it was Devine who set the tone with a stunning catch off the bowling of Tahuhu to claim the first wicket of Hayley Matthews (18).
The Wellington Blaze all-rounder then made a breakthrough with her first ball of the day in the ninth over to leave the West Indies in a spot of bother on 41-2.
The tourists mounted a comeback through captain Stafanie Taylor and Chedean Nation with the pair putting on 54 runs, but just as they looked comfortable Tahuhu drew Nation into a loose shot which was caught by Bates at extra cover.
While Taylor looked to consolidate, she was losing partners at a rapid rate.
Kasperek came into the attack and immediately troubled the West Indies middle order, dismissing Deandra Dottin (10) and Kysha Knight (9) in her first spell.
Bates nabbed a run-out during a four over period which saw the WHITE FERNS take three wickets at the expense of just six runs as the West Indies threatened to fold.
The White Ferns were in control with the West Indies 131-7 in the 36th over, and managed to keep Taylor relatively quiet with tight bowling in the death overs.
Tahuhu then dismissed the West Indies captain for 86 to their innings at 194 all out.
The final ODI is at Hagley Oval on Sunday.
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