The White Ferns have beaten India by four wickets in the second T20 match in Christchurch, winning the international series 2-0.
Opening batter Suzie Bates scored her 21st T20 half-century Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2019
The White Ferns earlier restricted India to 135/6, after the tourists had threatened to post a 160+ total.
India raced to 46/1 after five overs, having taken 16 and 13 runs respectively from Lea Tahuhu and Amy Peterson's second overs.
Leg-spinner Amelia Kerr and White Ferns rookie Rosemary Mair then put the brakes on India's innings, with Mair picking up the crucial wicket of opener Smriti Mandhana for 36.
Jemimah Rodrigues struck a brilliant 72 (53), a career best, but she didn't get enough support, with none of India's middle or lower order reaching double digits
Mair, in just her second match for New Zealand, finished with the White Ferns' best figures, taking 2/13 from her four overs.
Kerr, Sophie Devine and Leigh Kasperek took a wicket each.
With the bat, player of the match Suzie Bates struck her twenty first half-century to make 62 off of 52 deliveries.
While the game looked locked in for New Zealand, a desperate bid by India saw them pick up late wickets in Bates and Anna Peterson (0) in the 17th over, followed by Katey Martin - bowled out for 13 in the 19th.
New Zealand lead the series 2-0 with the third and final match at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.
- RNZ