The White Ferns will need some quick improvements with the bat and ball to avoid an ODI series defeat to England after suffering a nine-wicket thrashing in the opening match in Chester-le-Street overnight.
The hosts delivered a crushing blow to open the series, chasing down New Zealand’s total withthe loss of just one wicket and a staggering 172 balls remaining. It’s England’s biggest win over the White Ferns in terms of balls remaining and meant there was 55 overs total bowled in the match.
On a good wicket, the White Ferns slumped to 75 for five before being bowled out for 156 in the 34th over with Brooke Halliday (51 from 60) the lone scorer of note, which helped the White Ferns get by the 150 mark but really just delayed the inevitable.
England spinner Charlie Dean finished with 4-38, all lower-order batters, to finish off the New Zealand innings after the top five were dismissed before 80 was on the board.
The White Ferns tested a new opening pair with Suzie Bates (16) and Georgia Plimmer (29), who got the innings off to a fast start with 27 off the first three overs before Bates was bowled by Lauren Filer by a superb ball that jagged back in.
Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, captain Sophie Devine and Maddie Green all departed before the 15th over, which saw New Zealand’s hopes fade pretty quickly.
In response, Tammy Beaumont (76 from 69) and Maia Bouchier (67 off 50) made quick work as New Zealand still managed to use seven bowlers. Halliday took the sole wicket of Boucher for a good low catch by Bates.
“Really disappointed,” Devine said after the match.
“We got a really good start with the bat but England came back. We need to put this behind and come back harder with important series coming up.
“We’ve got to identify areas we need to improve but also look at positives, especially Plimmer and Halliday. We know we’ll have to score 250-260 for which we were on course but lost wickets,” she added.
