Nielsen Five-for Gallops NZ To 4-0

November 10, 2015

Left-arm spinner Morna Nielsen's maiden five-for meant New Zealand Women handed Sri Lanka Women another hammering, by 10 wickets in the fourth ODI in Lincoln. Sri Lanka were first bowled out for 126, with the help of Nielsen's 5 for 21 before the hosts' openers whittled down the target in under 19 overs. It was New Zealand's second 10-wicket win of the series.

Sri Lanka's top order started slow, after opting to bat, as the score read 23 when they lost opener Hasini Perera in the 10th over. They lost wickets regularly from there as medium-pacer Sophie Devine struck twice in consecutive overs even as opener and stand-in captain Chamari Atapattu worked her way along to her 10th ODI fifty. However, she was bowled by Nielsen, who came into the XI for Leigh Kasperek, for 56 in the 30th over and Sri Lanka were reeling at 87 for 6. A brief resistance of 37-ball 31 from No. 8 Ama Kanchana helped Sri Lanka past 100 but they were bowled out in 46.2 overs as Nielsen wiped the tail off.

New Zealand captain Suzie Bates had a new opening partner in Amy Satterthwaite, instead of Rachel Priest, but the result was no different. The openers scored at nearly seven an over and while Bates struck 10 fours in her 51-ball 70, Satterthwaite fell short of her fifty by a run despite hitting six fours. It was Bates' third consecutive ODI fifty and the first time New Zealand Women produced three straight century opening stands in ODIs.

(espncricinfo)