England Women win opening Twenty20 International in New Zealand

A trio of Kent Cricket stars helped England claim a convincing eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the first Twenty20 international after bowling the hosts out for their lowest-ever score at the Cobham Oval, writes Martin Davies.

The White Ferns were dismissed for just 60 after choosing to bat first, and England wasted no time in reply, knocking off the runs with more than eight overs remaining, with Kent and England captainCharlotte Edwardsfinishing unbeaten on 32.

Kent'sLydia GreenwayandLaura Marshwere recalled to the starting side after missing the previous one-day international in Mount Maunganui.

After victory in the International Cricket Council Women's Championship one-day internationals on Sunday, Suzie Bates had no hesitation in batting on what looked like a good batting wicket, but within five overs the New Zealand innings was in tatters.

Heather Knight once again opened the bowling for England in her new role as main spinner and followed up Katherine Brunt’s early wicket of Bates with three wickets for two runs to reduce New Zealand to 10 for four after five overs.

Rachel Priest and Sara McGlashan both fell cheaply to Knight, but the most eye-catching of the wickets was that of Sophie Devine, who was caught spectacularly on the boundary by Kent Cricket Academy graduateLydia Greenway.

After leaping to take a catch just inside the rope, the Farnborough-born fielder's momentum carried her over but she threw the ball upwards and then stepped calmly back inside the boundary to complete a remarkable catch.

There was no let up even after player of the match Knight completed her four overs taking three for 10.

Danielle Hazell moved to become England’s joint leading T20 wicket-taker when she accounted for Kate Broadmore for the third duck in the White Fern’s top five, and then Amy Satterthwaite, as both tried to play across the line of the ball and were adjudged to be lbw.

At 18 for six New Zealand looked strong candidates to record the lowest ever women’s T20I score, beating Sri Lanka’s 57 all out against Bangladesh in 2012.

Katie Perkins and Erin Bermingham saw New Zealand through the next few overs, but the introduction of Anya Shrubsole accounted for Perkins for eight to another fine catch by Greenway, and then Tahuhu, hitting a leading edge to Sciver to be caught at cover for three.

Bermingham, the only Kiwi to reach double figures, had taken her score to 20 and the New Zealand total to 55 before she too played across the line and was lbw to Laura Marsh.

At 55 for nine, New Zealand still needed three runs to make it past Sri Lanka’s previous low. They just about managed to get there before Shrubsole wrapped up the innings removing Georgia Guy’s middle stump with two balls of the New Zealand innings unused and finishing with figures of 3 – 6 inside her four overs.

England made a nervous start to their reply, losing Winfield was caught at cover with the score on five, but Edwards looked in confident mood as she hit Morna Nielsen for four over midwicket and then pulled her for another boundary in her next over.

Taylor looked in good touch as she twice cut Guy for four through the covers to take her score onto 16, but she then feathered one through to keeper Priest to leave England on 35 for two.

However Edwards, and new partner Natalie Sciver, saw England home without further alarm in the 12th over for a comprehensive victory which should fill them with confidence ahead of tomorrow’s second T20 on the same wicket.

After that England move down to Christchurch for the last T20 and two more ODIs at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval at Lincoln University to end the tour.

Thanks to Don Miles and the ECB for the photos

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