England may not be the finished product with their home World Cup campaign starting in 18 days, but all-rounder Dani Gibson finding her rhythm with the ball in a seven-wicket demolition of New Zealand was a promising sign.

Gibson hadn't bowled at the international or franchise level for over a year before being called into England's World Cup squad. She claimed a wicket on ODI debut against New Zealand, and another in the rain-hit ODI series, but her 1 for 21 in the T20 series opener showed her tweaked bowling action, aimed at preventing a back injury recurrence, was paying off.

That was just a warm-up for her career-best figures of 3 for 14 as New Zealand were skittled for 80 in Hove, where Gibson wrecked the middle order, dismissing captain Melie Kerr and Sophie Devine. "I feel like I've been hitting the deck hard. It's just a relief to get Devine out early," Gibson said.

England's fielding, still an issue in the first ODI, appeared sharper, though the T20 series saw them slip in the second match despite having New Zealand 11 for 4. This time, Gibson's early strikes ended any hope of a fightback.

Charlie Dean, standing in as captain for the injured Nat Sciver-Brunt, took 3 for 13, while Sophie Ecclestone shrugged off a tight hamstring to claim 1 for 11. Linsey Smith starred with six wickets in the series at an economy of 4.16, troubling New Zealand's batters.

With Danni Wyatt-Hodge yet to return and Maia Bouchier replacing her, England are still evolving. Alice Capsey showed versatility with an unbeaten 74 opening, while Freya Kemp continues building her bowling workloads after a similar back issue.

"We're not the finished article, but we can take positives into the India series and learn more for the World Cup," Gibson said.

New Zealand coach Ben Sawyer acknowledged Smith's impact, admitting his side lacks left-arm orthodox bowling exposure and will need to address that ahead of their World Cup preparations.