Mason constructs New Zealand series win

New Zealand 239 for 9 (Mason 111) beat England 198 (SC Taylor 72, Greenway 40) by 43 runs
Scorecard

Aimee Mason's century powered New Zealand to the series win in the fourth one-dayer. They now have an unassailable 3-0 lead, thanks largely to Mason's effort (her second one-day ton - making it two in five weeks) lighting up Blackpool on an already sunny day.

New Zealand were in some difficulty at 109 for 4, but Mason and Sarah Tsukigawa came together to put on 94 in just under an hour.

Tsukiagawa started circumspectly but soon built up momentum, whereas Mason was on the ball from the off, pushing it around and going for ones and twos rather than the rope.

It was a well-timed partnership and though New Zealand's innings tailed off a little once the pair had gone - they lost 5 for 28 - they had done more than enough to set up the win.

Laura Marsh bowled well on return, with three wickets, but she was also the most costly - her seven overs going for 49. Although England's fielding was tighter than the last match, this time there were too many wides from the bowlers: 23.

A healthy crowd was in attendance, nestling in deckchairs and eating icecream, some wearing kiss-me-quick hats. But New Zealand's efforts were of the squeeze-me-slow variety; gradually ekeing the life out of England's innings.

The reliable Claire Taylor made 72, while Lydia Greenway added 40 but England were always behind the clock. Losing their key batsmen Sarah Taylor (14) and Charlotte Edwards (1) cheaply didn't help England's cause.

The next match is on Monday, where the sides return to Blackpool for what is now a dead-rubber. The final match is at Shenley on Thursday.