NZ Women vs India (W), 4th ODI at Queenstown, NZ-W v IND-W, Feb 22 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary

And so, four games of the five-ODI series are over. One more to go before we bring down curtains to the tour and inch closer to the Women's World Cup, which is just over a week away. Bowling seems to be India's concern at the moment while New Zealand would be happy to see the entire contingent up and firing. For now, we take your leave. It was a pleasure bringing you the coverage of all these games and wish to have your company one more time on Thursday. See you then as a I, S. Sudarshanan, bid goodbye on behalf of Srivathsa and our scorer, Vairavan. Himanshu's match report should be up here. Take care, and catch you soon!

7pm What a day we have had! For most parts of the day, it seemed as if it would be tough to get a game because of the rain and forecast for the day. But the ground staff did a terrific job to get the outfield ready. Devine and Bates then showed how good the conditions were for strokeplay, especially against seamers. Amelia Kerr just carried it up a notch, putting on an exhibition with the bat.

While Gayakwad and Rana did well to limit the damage, 192 was a daunting task and it was more so after India lost quick wickets at the top. Ghosh, though, provided ample entertainment during her 77-run stand with Raj. India's hopes rose a trickle at that point. However, once she fell, it was only a matter of time. The Indian management won't be pleased to see the meek batting surrender, though.

Srividhya: "Amelia Kerr seem to tell that she cannot be kept out of the game for long. A good bowling performance after a ruthless batting display. Truly she is the Ashley Gardner or Natalie Sciver for NZ. What a player."

Bala: "A tame end to a match, the decision of which was delayed by one significant partnership between Richa and Mithali. Indian batters fell in heaps like a pack of cards at the top and at the bottom after the Richa-Mithali partnership. The result was predictable from the start but India could not display enough except for one telling knock from Richa Ghosh."

Time for the presentation:

Amelia Kerr, the Player of the Match: Probably woke up this morning, looked at the rain and wondered if we would get going. Sophie and Amy got us going and then it was just fun. I am training as hard as in a game situation in the lead up. Great to get four wins against a quality side. To have belief and confidence in our batting is massive heading into the World Cup.

India captain Mithali Raj: Definitely have been trying a few combinations with the seam and spin attack. Bowling attack is a concern going into the World Cup. We are adapting to the conditions and to the open ground and the breeze. We have not been very consistent in our bowling spells. I was just looking at Richa's shots and she is a talented and exciting player for the future for India.

New Zealand captain, Sophie Devine: It was another complete performance from us. We showed good intent. There are times we have been a bit slow in changing our plans with the ball. I have certainly had belief in this group forever. The way these girls have trained over the last two years, the results hadn't gone our way but good to see that change.

6:46pm: A comprehensive win for New Zealand! Posted a tall score first up, thanks to a masterclass by Amelia Kerr, scoring 68 not out off just 33 balls. Her appetite wasn't satiated with that as she returned with three wickets with the ball to dismiss India.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad. To face the hat-trick ball. A swarm of fielders surround the batter now. Here we go...

First look at Renuka Singh Thakur with the bat.

Meghna Singh with the bat next.

Third over for Mackay.

Amelia Kerr back.

Jay: "Pleasantly surprised by India's intent and approach after the fall of first 4 wickets. This is definitely not India's XI for the WC (referred to as experiment by Mithali and co). Hope they ticked more boxes as the series progressed and work on the ones they missed."