England suffered a 14-run defeat against New Zealand, as Sophie Devine’s performance levelled the T20 series at Canterbury.
New Zealand recovered from a poor start to post a total of 170-5, before restricting England to 156-6 in their chase.
Devine and Green’s Record Partnership
England’s bowlers made an excellent start, restricting New Zealand to 11-4. However, Sophie Devine and Maddy Green then combined for a record-breaking 159-run partnership for the fifth wicket, lifting the White Ferns to a competitive 170-5.
Devine hit 87 from 57 balls before being run out on the final ball of the innings, while Green finished on 56 not out.
Devine struck six sixes and five fours. England’s bowlers and fielders struggled under pressure.
Linsey Smith impressed in the powerplay, finishing with 3-25, after removing Georgia Plimmer and Melie Kerr for first-ball ducks. The stunning recovery gave New Zealand the momentum going into the second innings.
England’s Chase Falters
England started their chase positively, but Sophia Dunkley was the first to throw away her start and fell for 26 from 18 balls.
Alice Capsey was out for 22. Heather Knight and Maia Bouchier added 43 for the third wicket, but their cautious approach led to the run-rate climbing. When the pair fell in consecutive balls in the 16th over, New Zealand were within touching distance of victory.
Explosive all-rounders Dani Gibson and Freya Kemp were tasked with scoring 30 from the final two overs, but they were dismissed for 12 and 14 respectively. England finished on 156-6.
Match Scorecard
- New Zealand: 170-5 (20 overs): Devine 87 (57), Green 56*; Smith 3-25
- England: 156-6 (20 overs): Bouchier 38 (33); Patel 2-25
- Result: New Zealand won by 14 runs; series level at 1-1
Devine showed exactly how big a gap she will leave in their batting line-up with one of her greatest knocks.
Izzy Gaze was bowled by Lauren Bell in the first over, left-arm spinner Smith had Plimmer caught and bowled, and Kerr missed a sweep to be pinned lbw.
Brooke Halliday was caught at long-off for three and England were in complete control at the end of the six-over powerplay with their opponents 29-4.
Devine clubbed Charlie Dean for back-to-back sixes as England’s captain was hit out of the attack by conceding 14 runs from her sole over.
That meant all-rounders Kemp and Gibson had to bowl their full allocation, both conceding 34 from four wicketless overs, while Issy Wong went for 24 from her three.
The series decider takes place at Hove on Monday, when even hotter conditions are expected.