The White Ferns have lost their T20 series against England with two matches still to play, following an eight-wicket defeat in Canterbury, Kent.
Despite setting a target of 141 for eight, England chased it down with four balls to spare, thanks to the efforts of player of the match Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp.
Capsey’s unbeaten 67 and Kemp’s crucial boundaries in the penultimate over sealed the victory for England. New Zealand’s performance was marred by dropped catches and misfields, despite a determined effort compared to the first two matches of the series.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine led with an unbeaten 58, and Suzie Bates reached a milestone of 10,000 international runs.
However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled against Sophie Ecclestone, who took four wickets.
England’s chase was set back early by Hannah Rowe’s lbw dismissal of Maia Bouchier, but Capsey and Sophia Dunkley’s partnership of 66 steadied their innings.
Fran Jonas took two wickets, including Dunkley and Nat Sciver-Brunt, though a misfield in the final over aided England’s win.
The series continues with the fourth match at the Oval on Sunday.
