4 Jul 2015

White Ferns take series lead

12:50 pm on 4 July 2015

The New Zealand women's cricket team have comfortably won the third one-dayer against India by six wickets at Bengaluru to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Rachel Priest

Rachel Priest Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Batting first, India's 182/9 was their highest score yet in the Bengaluru Series, helped by a 63 ball 86 from 22-year-old Veda Krishnamurthy.

Sophie Devine was the best of the New Zealand bowlers taking three wickets for 40 runs from 10 overs.

Chasing 183 for victory, the White Ferns were led by 64 from Rachel Priest in conjunction with fellow opener and captain Suzie Bates' 59 as they reached the target with four overs and two balls to spare, making 186 for four.

The win elevates New Zealand on the 2017 Cricket World Cup qualifying table, with the team pocketing the final two ICC Women's Championship points on offer.

Back-to-back wins have put them on equal IWC points with Pakistan, among the top five of the eight teams, while the Indian women are relegated to bottom place.

The fourth of the five-match ODI Series is at the same venue on Monday July the 6th.

There are no IWC points riding on the final two ODIs.