Womens cricket: Bates stars for Ferns

Otago allrounder Suzie Bates delivered with both bat and ball as New Zealand levelled the women's one-day international cricket series against England today.

The 22-year-old took three wickets then scored an invaluable, unbeaten 75 as the White Ferns won the second match by four wickets with 13 balls to spare at Taunton.

That left the five-match series locked at 1-1 heading to the third game at Derby starting on Thursday night (NZT).

Bates was the undoubted star today, collecting three for 27 off seven overs of her medium pace to help restrict England to 208 for nine from their 50 overs.

She then ensured the White Ferns reached their target with an innings containing seven boundaries off 107 balls.

Bates shared stands of 54 with Sara McGlashan, who made 28, and 50 with Sophie Devine, 23 after the English spinners threatened to haul them back into the match.

Laura Marsh opened the bowling with her offspin and removed both openers Lucy Doolan and Maria Fahey, while Holly Colvin and Danielle Hazell also struck but couldn't break the back of New Zealand's batting.

Earlier, England struggled to build on a useful platform laid by Claire Taylor's 66 and Lydia Greenway's 40 as they took the score to 138 for three after 35 overs after the home side had wobbled early at 59 for three.

Greenway was run out for 40 and Taylor, after hitting six boundaries in her 87-ball stay, went the same way.

The lower order found it difficult to locate the boundary as Bates, the seventh bowler used by captain Aimee Watkins, took her wickets in the closing overs.

- NZPA