Key events
6th over: New Zealand 22-1 (Plimmer 11, Kerr 1) Smith bagged a wicket although she hadn’t really found her rhythm and the majestic Bates left the crease for perhaps the last time.
TICKET OFFICE! Bates v Lamb (sub) b Smith 10 (New Zealand 21-1)
A full toss to the waist suits Bates who muscles it to the middle. Referees check for balls – players have their waistlines checked before the tournament starts – who knew? – but the ball is good. A tart, but good.
5th over: New Zealand 21-0 (Bates 10, Plimmer 11) Bell gets cloned for two fours by Plimmer.
New Zealand win the toss and bat – Wyatt-Hodge in
Argghgh There, I was completely wrong about my times, because of the clocks going backwards. Apologies. Danni Wyatt-Hodge plays for Emma Lamb. New Zealand unchanged.
Preamble
Hello early oneand hello GMT for another year. It’s still dark here, but not in scorching Visakhapatnam where England will be in high spirits – South Africa, their semi-final opponent on Wednesday, bowled out for 97 by Australia.
This is a stalemate for England and New Zealand – although England can edge out South Africa to finish second to Australia in the group stage – an ego boost, but no more. New Zealand, who had a disappointing tournament, followed by rain and only one victory, against Bangladesh, bid farewell to faithful captain Sophie Devine who is playing her last ODI of a superb career of 158 matches, 4,256 runs and 110 wickets.
On paper, it also looks like a good opportunity for England to give some of the drink-carriers a run for their money – Danni Wyatt Hodges, mysterious benchwarmer as the middle order implodes, or Lauren Filer. But Charlotte Edwards hasn’t moved yet.
The game starts at 5:30 GMT, grab an early beer and join us.
