HEATHER Knight’s century inspired England to their highest successful run chase in a one-day international as they beat New Zealand by three wickets to clinch the five-match series with a game to spare in Derby.

Captain Knight’s brilliant 101 helped England recover from 71-3 as they chased 245 for victory under lights.

Her 100-run partnership with Amy Jones (40) went some way to securing the game for England, but the skipper was frustrated to fall with her side still needing eight runs from the final 10 balls.

The hosts went into the final over still needing a run-a-ball to win, but Anya Shrubsole hit five runs from the first three balls, before a wide bowled by Leigh Kasperek – from which Katey Martin had, in vain, attempted to stump Sophie Ecclestone – handed the win to England.

New Zealand earlier reached 244-8 from their 50 overs, anchored by 65 not out from Martin and Amy Satterthwaite’s 54.

Off-spinner Charlie Dean again impressed with 3-52 before Knight produced an innings of real maturity to make only the seventh England century in a women’s ODI run chase.

The hosts were bolstered by the return of Shrubsole from an ankle injury, as she and Freya Davies took two wickets apiece in what has been a successful series for the hosts’ seamers.

The White Ferns were lacking an extra pace dimension in their bowling after opting to rest Lea Tahuhu, who took five wickets in Leicester on Tuesday, and Molly Penfold.

The final match of the series takes place at Canterbury on Sunday at 11:00hrs BST.(BBC Sport)