Cricket: White Ferns cruise to series sweep over Bangladesh

The White Ferns celebrate a wicket during the win over Bangladesh. Photo / photosport.nz

The White Ferns have swept aside Bangladesh for the third match in succession, clinching a 3-0 T20 series triumph in Queenstown this afternoon.

After a record win in last week’s opener was followed by an improved effort from the overmatched tourists in the second game, New Zealand once more asserted their dominance in a 63-run victory.

Skipper Sophie Devine (47 off 33) won the toss and started her side’s innings well but regular wickets at the other end prevented any early partnerships from being established.

That changed when Amelia Kerr (48no off 31) came to the crease and, after some initial struggles with timing, the all-rounder proceeded to close the innings in style, earning her second straight player of the match award.

Lea Tahuhu also chimed in with 17 from 8 to help the White Ferns reach an imposing total of 152-7, and with the form the fast bowler has recently enjoyed, an inexperienced Bangladesh team were never likely to mount a serious challenge to that target.

Tahuhu removed the first three batters cheaply and eventually finished with figures of 3-14 from four overs, following her career-best 4-6 in the first match to take out the player of the series prize.

Young spinner Eden Carson also impressed to grab 2-19 as Bangladesh - as they did in the second match - opted for time in the middle over a serious attempt to mount a chase, ending their allotment on 89-7.

The two sides will now meet in three ODIs, starting on Sunday at the Basin Reserve, while the White Ferns will look to take what lessons they can from such a one-sided series into the T20 World Cup in South Africa, with their campaign kicking off on February 12 against Australia.