England's women overcame a shocking start in Auckland to beat New Zealand by 10 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20 series.

The tourists recovered from 12 for four to reach 108 for six as Jenny Gunn and Susie Rowe put on an unbroken 44.

New Zealand again started strongly with the bat but spinners Danielle Wyatt and Danielle Hazell took two wickets apiece as they were pegged back to 90 for seven by the time rain forced the players off with seven balls remaining.

England lost Laura Marsh to the second ball of the match and captain Charlotte Edwards in the next over - and the run-outs in successive balls of Sarah Taylor, backing up, and Arran Brindle, without facing, left them in deep trouble.

But Lydia Greenway made 26 before becoming the third run-out victim of the innings and Gunn then smashed 30 not out from 26 balls, Rowe (15no) offering useful support as 17 came from the last over to lift England to a competitive total.

Frances Mackay and Suzie Bates made 19 apiece and put on 31 for New Zealand's first wicket, and Sara McGlashan (20) and Amy Satterthwaite (16) kept up the momentum.

But both fell to Wyatt, and Hazell then removed Katey Martin and Rachel Candy in successive balls, as 80 for three became 89 for seven.

Kate Broadmore took a single from the hat-trick ball but that was the end of proceedings, with the drizzle intensifying and little time available for any potential restart due to the subsequent men's international between New Zealand and South Africa.