Emily Drumm’s unbeaten 94 was the top score of the third One-Day International but the White Ferns fell to a three-wicket defeat to India at Lincoln’s Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
Drumm rescued her side from 14 for five as part of a sixth-wicket stand of 106 with Nicola Browne, who made 51.
In her 99th ODI, Drumm then went on to hit 64 with Aimee Mason (25 not out) to take the home team to 184 for six from their 50 overs.
Helen Watson then played her part with a pair of wickets in consecutive deliveries but the Indians themselves recovered to claim victory with 10 balls in hand.
Rumeli Dhar and Jhulan Goswami cut through the Kiwis’ top order before Drumm and Browne restored order.
A patient partnership brought up three figures in 185 deliveries as they converted a shaky start into a meaningful total.
And Watson then did the damage to the India’s openers, who were both dismissed without score.
But the visitors enjoyed their own resurgence, Anjum Chopra hitting 60 and Reema Malhotra 36 not out as they steered their side to their first victory of the series.
The White Ferns can still claim the series victory in Saturday’s fourth ODI, with the five-match campaign ending on Monday (March 13).
White Ferns v India, 4th ODI, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln, March 11. 10.30am start. Admission free.
