Maia Bouchier stroked her way to an outstanding 91 to propel England towards a series-clinching 47-run victory against New Zealand in the fourth T20I in Wellington.
Bouchier, who had been promoted to open as England rejigged their side with WPL players now available, followed her maiden half-century from the third game with a dazzling display which ushered the visitors to 177 for 3.
Bouchier was 20 off 18 balls after the powerplay – which included an awesome straight six off Hannah Rowe – then shifted through the gears to reach fifty from 33 balls. She was, however, given a life on 44 when Jess Kerr missed a return catch.
Back-to-back boundaries off Amelia Kerr saw her prance into the 90s in 18th over but she fell on the next delivery. Her 91 is the seventh-highest score for England in T20Is.
New Zealand had suffered a hammer blow when captain Sophie Devine picked up a quadricep strain while bowling. She sent down only one over and did not appear with the bat as the hosts were trounced.
It was always going to be a tall order for the White Ferns to chase down 178, more so with Devine having picked up an injury. Their hopes took another major dent when Bates fell to Lauren Bell in the opening over.
Sophie Ecclestone was miserly as usual on her return to international duty although shelling a regulation catch at long off tarnished her comeback game. Charlie Dean picked up two further wickets in her last over to finish with four.
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