New Zealand vs India 3rd ODI highlights: Record run-chase by White Ferns as they clinch series 3-0

Match highlights:

Full text: India head coach Ramesh Powar on batting improvement, lack of match time, fielding & more

11.00 am: This is now White Ferns’ best ever run-chase and two of top six entries in all-time ODIs have come from series:

New Zealand have chased 270 & 280 down in back-to-back matches. For all the talk surrounding India’s batting, a team should ideally be able to defend that once at least. Mithali Raj post match is pleased with the batting effort, and the improvements over the matches. Points out the fielding unit... and really, you can’t help but think back to the dropped catch of Satterthwaite when she was on 0.

Twice in two matches, two huge run-chases and only Satterthwaite today made a significant contribution. Incredible stuff.

Over 49.1: SIX! LAUREN DOWN THE GROUND! NZ win by 7 wickets,

NZ 274/7 after 49 overs: Huge 49th over. India needed more from Jhulan there, but Down has played a blinder.

49th over: A four for Mackay over mid-on, a four for Down past long-off. NZ are nearly home.

NZ 262/6 after 48 overs TWO HUGE DOT BALLS. Deepti Sharma finishes the 48th over brilliantly. Deceiving Down with flight. 18 needed off 12 now.

23 from 18 balls. Deepti Sharma

NZ 257/7 after 47 overs FIFTY FOR LAUREN DOWN! and 9 runs in that Jhulan over that started with a four for Mackay, who is a really good batter.

Honestly, despite being error-strewn from both sides for most parts, the last two ODIs have been fantastic entertainment.

32 needed off 24 balls. Jhulan time. Two overs left for her.

WICKET! Over 45.4: Katey Martin 35(37) ct Taniya Bhatia b Deepti Sharma India keeping themselves alive here. Round the wicket to Martin, edged and taken. Better fielding in that over too New Zealand 247/7

36 needed off 30 balls,

NZ 244/6 after 45 overs: NZ continue to tap and run! Sneh Rana could have had Martin out with a direct hit but still too many easy singles even within the circle. Bisht is also done with her 10.

NZ 239/6 after 44 overs: A six-run over is great for NZ at the moment. India unable to apply any dot ball pressure. 1/59 for Renuka Singh on her debut.

NZ 233/6 after 43 overs: Five singles in that Ekta Bisht over. Taniya Bhatia and India think there was a chance for caught behind down the leg side, but the catch wasn’t taken even though it was given runs off the bat. Didn’t hit the bat. Could have been out LBW though. Plenty happening.

NZ 228/6 after 42 overs: Steady from this partnership. 6 runs from Renuka’s over without too much risk. India need Jhulan Goswami’s last two overs to be really productive.... she is warming up.

NZ 222/6 after 41 overs: Partnership 51 off 41 balls now! Sneh Rana finishes with 1/53 off her 10.

Why are India leaving area behind square on square ALWAYS vacant, I wonder. So many runs against the spinners these days. Doesn’t quite seem like a wicket-taking ploy or containing ploy.

NZ 216/6 after 40 overs: Down and Martin have wrestled this back from India! (How big is that umpiring decision going to be). We are into the last 10 overs and 64 needed. The batters are finding the boundaries, and running hard too. Great finish on the cards.

NZ 189/6 after 37 overs: A six for Down off Bisth, down the ground. Superbly struck! In the previous over, a huge appeal for caught behind not given. India were convinced, Taniya Bhatia couldn’t believe it. NZ still very much in this mind you, they bat deep.

Sneh Rana nearly pulls off a stunning diving catch in that over. India are on the charge.

WICKET! 34.1: Lea Tahuhu 1(3) ct Shafali Verma b Ekta Bisht QUICK WICKETS! Ekta Bisht drops one short, it is powerfully pulled and hit hard by Tahuhu but Shafali does well to hold at deep midwicket. That came at her flat and quick! New Zealand 171/6

WICKET! 33.3: Maddy Green 24(27) b Renuka Singh FIRST ODI WICKET! A moment to remember for Thakur, as she brings one back in to Green and breaches the gate. New Zealand 166/5

NZ 166/4 after 33 overs: Continuing to keep the scoreboard ticking.

WICKET! 30.2: Amelia Kerr 67(80) ct Renuka Singh b Sneh Rana A happy birthday to Sneh Rana who dismisses Amelia Kerr just as she was starting to take another match away from India. The NZ No 3 was playing another fantastic innings. Renuka Thakur with a sharp catch at long on. New Zealand 152/4

NZ 151/3 after 30 overs: Renuka returns and Kerr welcomes her with a lovely dab past keeper for four.

NZ 145/3 after 29 overs: Six singles off the Ekta Bisht over. Just too easy.

NZ 139/3 after 28 overs: Jhulan’s spell done, runs flowing at a good rate again. Smart batting by Kerr there to access the vacant leg side behind square by moving across and lofting one off Rana.

NZ 131/3 after 27 overs: Five singles off Bisht’s over. NZ have just been fantastic at finding the pockets in this venue to keep the scoreboard ticking.

NZ 126/3 after 26 overs: Mithali putting all the eggs in the Jhulan basket here. A 8th over for her and we are only at the halfway stage of this innings. 3/26 off 8 overs, has brought India back into this match with that second spell. And the required rate has just started to creep up. Now over to the other bowlers to back her up.

HALF CENTURY! India simply don’t have an answer to AKerr at the moment. She follows up her unbeaten century with another classy half century. India 124/3 (25)

WICKET! 23.4: Amy Satterthwaite 59(76) ct Mithali Raj b Jhulan Goswami Desperate for a wicket, Mithali Raj brings back Jhulan Goswami. Dot balls, dot balls... big wicket of Amy Satterthwaite. And good that the catch went to Mithali Raj, one of the two fielders in the side you can trust to take chances without fuss (apart from Harmanpreet Kaur). New Zealand 117/3

NZ 117/2 after 23 overs: The 100-run partnership comes up in Deepti Sharma’s over.

NZ 112/2 after 22 overs: Mithali brings back JhulanG knowing this partnership is taking the game away. And NZ know all too well there is not much threat in this bowling lineup otherwise, play out a 1-run over.

NZ 104/2 after 20 overs: The White Ferns are in control at the moment.

HALF CENTURY! Amy Satterthwaite gets to her 26th ODI half century! Excellent strike rate through her innings, has kept finding the boundary in regular intervals. NZ 101/2 (19)

So far in this series: 

 1st ODI: Suzie Bates dropped early (first 5 overs), went on to score century. 

2nd ODI: Amelia Kerr dropped around 25, went on to score century. 

3rd ODI: Amy Satterthwaite dropped on 0 (& again later on 19), has scored a half century. 

NZ 88/2 after 16 overs: Just a single from Rana’s over. Kerr now meanwhile has scored more than 150 runs without being dismissed across the last two matches.

NZ 87/2 after 15 overs: A wonderful effort from Shafali Verma. Diving stop, powerful throw. She has certainly improved her ground fielding since her early days. But New Zealand have started to cruise since Jhulan Goswami’s early brilliance.

NZ 78/2 after 14 overs : Good couple of overs for India, Deepti and Sneh Rana keeping the batters on their toes. Rana finishes the over with a delightful off-break that beats the batter, misses the stump.

NZ 69/2 after 12 overs: The partnership is past 50 now. Boundaries are coming in regular intervals. India have once again only themselves to blame. Deepti and Rana bowling in tandem now.

NZ 58/2 after 10 overs: Oh dear. India have dropped Amy Satterthwaite not once, but twice. Meghana in that over, Ekta Bisht should have had a wicket. She couldn’t get her dive right, the ball nearly stuck but popped out late. The White Ferns star is capable of taking this match away from India and she has the in-form Amelia Kerr at the other end.

NZ 47/2 after 9 overs: A tight over from Renuka Singh followed by a maiden over by Jhulan. On the flip side though, NZ have seen off the early pace threat now. And both these batters are great against spin.

NZ 40/2 after 7 overs: Couple of boundaries for Satterthwaite in Jhulan’s over too. That dropped catch already looking costly for India.

NZ 32/2 after 6 overs: Satterthwaite got going with a couple of fours through off side off Thakur’s 2nd over but the debutant responds well with a good third over.

Jhulan Gosawmi, having dismissed Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, should have had Amy Satterthwaite too in her 2nd over. Deepti Sharma drops a sitter at gully. Imagine, three of the biggest NZ wickets in 2 overs!

Given Bates & Kerr both scored tons after getting dropped early..

WICKET! Over 2.3: Suzie Bates 5(7) b Jhulan Goswami: AGAIN! Sensational delivery to breach the defence of Suzie Bates. What a start. What a star.New Zealand 14/2

NZ 13/1 after 2 overs: Steady first over in ODI cricket for Renuka Singh.

NZ 8/1 after 1 over: Kerr gets a superb yorker first up, dug out for four. It was a no ball. But what a start from Jhulan.

WICKET! Over 0.3: Sophie Devine 0(2) lbw Jhulan Goswami: Jhulan Gosawmi strikes! Superb delivery to Sophie Devine in the very first over and the NZ skipper has to walk back. Pitched just outside off, seamed back in and hit her in front. Maybe a bit too high? But no DRS, given out, that’s that. New Zealand 2/1

New Zealand chased down 270 in the 2nd match thanks to a superb century by Amelia Kerr. The hosts stick to Sophie Devine & Suzie Bates at the top of the order. Jhulan Goswami is back for India

WICKET! Over 49.3: Renuka Singh 0(2) ct Suzie Bates b Frances Mackay: ALL OUT! India leave 3 deliveries in the bank. Deepti Sharma with a great innings, unbeaten on 69. (could have avoided singles at the end). India 279/10

India 278/9 after 49 overs: Ekta Bisht finds Amelia Kerr at long on (she was at square leg last over!) Deepti Sharma takes the strikes for the last over.

India 270/8 after 48 overs: Another productive over for India there, in that the scoreboard moved and the innings is not over yet. Deepti had a couple of close calls. The total from 2nd ODI has been equalled.

WICKET! Over 46.6: Jhulan Goswami 8(12) ct Amelia Kerr b Hannah Rowe: WHAT A CATCH! A bouncer from Rowe, Jhulan pulls it, Kerr is a little late to react but takes a superb catch dicing forward. India 264/8

HALF CENTURY FOR DEEPTI SHARMA! And a crucial one too for India, as well as her. It’s been a while in ODIs (three years) since her last fifty. India 257/7 (46)

India 246/7 after 44 overs: Just one run and the run out in that over. Poor from Bhatia.

WICKET! Over 43.2: Taniya Bhatia 8(18) Run Out Frances Mackay: she is putting on a bowling-off-own-fielding masterclass. Sensational fielding, quick throw back and Bhatia found short. India 245/7

India 245/6 after 43 overs: With Tahuhu not available to bowl, Satterthwaite gets an over with her spin and Deepti sweeps again for four. Onto 46.

India 238/6 after 42 overs: Another boundary to start that Mackay over for Deepti, she is into her 40s. A gem of an innings it must be said.

India 232/6 after 41 overs: Decent over for India, a four for Deepti off Mair to start that over.

India 226/6 after 40 overs: Last 10 overs coming up... how much can India get? Better than the 270 in the second ODI?

India 222/6 after 39 overs: We are on Benaud at the moment. Could have been one more for India, if Deepti Sharma and Taniya Bhatia showed a bit more urgency between the wickets. The running between the wickets continues to look ordinary for India, Deepti especially, it must be said.

India 220/6 after 38 overs: A boundary for Deepti to finish that Kerr over. She has played a good hand today.

WICKET! Over 36.5: Sneh Rana 11(13) ct Hannah Rowe b Sophie Devine After putting away a bad ball for four, Rana tries to go in the same direction again but this time can only sky it. Rowe takes a superb catch running backwards from square leg. A wasted chance for Rana here, who had to make the most of the opportunity to show what she can do lower down the order. India 211/6

Taniya Bhatia said in a PC recently that she’s been working hard on her batting, will be interesting to see how she goes when she gets a bat.

India 205/5 after 36 overs: 200 comes up in 36th over. A boundary for Sneh Rana with a paddle off Mackay to finish that over. The score is something India would have signed up for at the start of the day. But now 5 down and a big job to do for the lower middle order.

India 198/5 after 35 overs: Deepti and Rana have to also ensure now that India bat 50 overs and that means the run rate is going to dip further.

India have gone from 86/0 after 10 overs to 193/5 after 33 overs. Sneh Rana is the new batter.

WICKET! Over 32.3: Mithali Raj 23(33) ct Katey Martin b Hannah Rowe: Oh, Hannah Rowe with a peach to dismiss Mithali Raj. The ball has moved around a fair bit in the last few overs... this one starts to angle in and then shapes away late beautifully, Mithali edges it behind. India 187/5

India 186/4 after 32 overs: A 2-run over from Mackay to Mithali.

India 184/4 after 31 overs: Oh shot Deepti Sharma! Every now and then she produces moments like these that make you wonder what has happened to her as a batter in international cricket. Picks up a swinging delivery and deposits over midwicket for six off Rowe.

India 177/4 after 30 overs: Oh, earlier a few overs back, Tahuhu actually had to walk out of the field due to an apparent hamstring issue. It did not look good for her, she was able to walk off by herself but that looked like a strain at the very least.

India 173/4 after 29 overs: Scoring rate down below 6 RPO now. India need another push from the middle order and they don’t have Richa Ghosh to provide that.

WICKET! Over 27.4: Harmanpreet Kaur 13(22) Run Out Frances Mackay Oh dear. Oh dear! Of all the ways to be dismissed. Well set Harman, just helped herself to a four, then next ball she just stands outside the crease having come down the track. Mackay has pulled off a superb throw. India 166/4

India 162/3 after 27 overs: Just starting to increase the dot ball count... the run-rate is down to exactly 6 at the moment. Credit to Tahuhu and Mair for a good spell but both batters are set now. India would look for an uptick in scoring rate.

India 160/3 after 26 overs: This is such a good little spell by Lea Tahuhu, getting the ball to move late.

India 158/3 after 25 overs: A testing over from Mair to Kaur. Halfway stage, NZ can be pleased with how they are bouncing back. But still, India bat deeper today.

India 155/3 after 24 overs: Very early days but good to see both Mithali and Harman looking to stay busy from the word go. Trying to keep the scoreboard ticking even while getting their eyes in.

Indian captain and vice captain in the middle and Devine brings on Tahuhu immediately. Another wicket here could be huge for the hosts.

Once again, the Indian middle order finds itself in a position where they have to consolidate after quick wickets. Will be nice if one of the well-set batters go till 30th-35th over more often, instead of new batters in the middle looking to rebuild. India 149/3 after 23 overs.

WICKET! Over 22.1: Yastika Bhatia 19(25) ct Lea Tahuhu b Rosemary Mair ANOTHER ONE GONE! Bouncer from Mair and it is hit straight to the fielder at long leg. Tahuhu didn’t have to move an inch. India 147/3

India 135/2 after 20 overs: How wickets change momentum... will it see White Ferns take control here? A better 10-over phase for the hosts but India still went at nearly 5. From 86/0 to 135/2.

WICKET! Over 19.1: Shafali Verma 51(57) ct Suzie Bates b Amelia Kerr Suzie Bates with a stunning catch at cover and Amelia Kerr jumped along with her as she removes Shafali. India 131/2

HALF CENTURY FOR SHAFALI VERMA! A 54-ball 50 for the Indian opener. She has now scored an ODI century in Australia as well as New Zealand. Your periodic reminder that she is still a teenager.

India 126/1 after 17 overs: Yastika gets going with a four off her first ball against Kerr. McKay from the other end as White Ferns look to slow things up with spin from both ends.

India 116/1 after 15 overs: Another delightfully timed square cut by Shafali Verma. Like a rifle shot, says the commentator. Mair finishes the over with a short ball that Shafali felt she had to put away.

India 110/1 after 14 overs: Shafali is just going for it at the moment... Indian fans must hope it’s not a case of her injury forcing her to do this. This is the best she has hit the ball on tour, hope it doesn’t lead to anything serious. Couple of fours over mid-on off Kerr’s bowling.

WICKET! Over 12.6: S Meghana 61(41) ct Katey Martin b Rosemary Mair One ball after Shafali Verma got a life, S Meghana’s fantastic innings comes to an end. The partnership is eventually broken. Mair strikes with a bouncer. Meghana, out for 61 off 41. India 100/1

India 99/0 after 12 overs: Kerr time. (No initials needed today, there’s only Amelia in action). Steady first over from the leggie.

Imagine if Smriti Mandhana was available from the very first ODI, S Meghana might have not played any of these ODIs. Fully vindicating the call to bring her on tour and translating domestic form to internationals. Funny how sport works sometimes.

India 94/0 after 11 overs: India continue to keep the scoring rate high, 8 runs from Mair’s first over without a boundary. 1s and 2s, steady stuff. Shafali meanwhile seems to be struggling a little bit more now.

HALF CENTURY FOR S MEGHANA! Her first in ODIs. Off just 33 balls. Gets there with three boundaries in Sophie Devine’s over and then hits another in the over too. India have raced to 86/0 in 10 overs.

India 67/0 after 9 overs (correction): It’s taken a while to heat up but we finally have a proper battle between Shafali Verma and the opponent’s premier seamer for this series... Lea Tahuhu might want to exchange notes with Katherine Brunt. That was some battle last year, it is shaping up to be a good battle here.

India 63/0 after 8 overs: Another six for Meghana and a life too! She takes Devine over midwicket and clears the rope for the 2nd time. Goes for another big shot, no timing on that one. But the catch is dropped at mid on by Rowe pedalling back, not able to hold on. In between the overs, some attention on Shafali from physio.

India 53/0 after 7 overs: A 50-run opening partnership comes up in the 7th over. Another four in that over for Shafali, cut behind point.

India 47/0 after 6 overs: Another shot through the offside from Shafali, deliciously timed for four.

India 40/0 after 5 overs: A one-run over from Tahuhu. Tries out a couple of bouncers at Meghana. Experience for you. There have been a few caught behind appeals from NZ so far, some noise heard on broadcast too but not given. Maybe creaky handles.

India 39/0 after 4 overs: 4, 4, 2 and 6 for Meghana! Rowe taken to the cleaners by the Indian opener. The six beautifully lofted over mid-off.

India 23/0 after 3 overs: Oh! Shafali Verma with a couple of boundaries off Tahuhu. Cut, then lofted down the ground.

India 15/0 after 2 overs: Oh another gorgeous shot by Meghana! Square cut for four off Mair (correction: Rowe). Some start for her again. How good has she been?

India 10/0 after 1 over: Meghana starts off with a brilliant extra cover drive for four and finishes the over with a glance through fine leg.

Confirmed XIs: Oh, there is Ekta Bisht as well.

India team news: Looks like Pooja Vastrakar is the one missing out with Jhulan Goswami, Meghna Singh and Renuka Singh (ODI debut) all in the XI. Interesting... an three-pronged seam attack from the overwhelming amount of spin in the 2nd ODI (selection today helped by availability of course). Sneh Rana gets a game as well. Taniya Bhati keeps wickets. Five changes then.

India team news: No Smriti Mandhana still for India it seems, and looks like Richa Ghosh is also missing out today. NZC have listed 13 players for India with Simran Bahadur as 12th. So, not sure about exact XI. We’ll have to wait a bit more for that.

After hitting the winning runs in the 2nd ODI, no Jess Kerr today for White Ferns and Sophie Devine is back as captain (she played 2nd ODI, just didn’t lead as they gave Amy Satterthwaite the captaincy for contingency planning). Hayley Jensen misses out too. Lauren Down and Frankie McKay get a game.

TOSS: WHITE FERNS won the toss and elected to bowl. Looks like no Smriti Mandhana still, awaiting confirmation.

First things first, Indian fans will be keenly looking for the starting XI. Will Smriti Mandhana be back in action?

03.00 am: Hello and welcome to the live coverage of New Zealand vs India, the third of five ODIs. A one-sided battle in the first, a thriller of a second match... now can Mithali Raj & Co begin bounce back after two defeats so far in this series in Queenstown?

New Zealand vs India, 1st ODI as it happened: Mithali’s knock in vain as White Ferns win by 62 runs

Watch highlights: New Zealand defeat Mithali Raj and Co by 62 runs in first ODI

New Zealand vs India 2nd ODI highlights: Amelia Kerr scores classy ton as NZ clinch thriller

Screenshots in the blog courtesy: Amazon Prime