White Ferns v England result: Second Twenty20 in Nelson

Sarah Glenn, left, celebrates her caught and bowled of Brooke Halliday. Photo / Photosport

The White Ferns have been beaten by 15 runs to fall behind 2-0 in the five-match T20 series against England.

After suffering a convincing defeat in the first game on Tuesday, a New Zealand side boosted by the returning Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr had their chances to topple the world No 2 in Nelson.

But once England captain Heather Knight hit an unbeaten half-century to lift her side to 149-7, the hosts lacked the firepower to chase down the target.

Kerr top-scored for the White Ferns with 44 but her dismissal prompted a middle-order collapse, eventually ending their allotment on 134-8.

The teams will be back at Saxton Oval on Sunday for game three.

In game one the White Ferns fell to a 27-run defeat to England, and slumped to a 0-1 scoreline in the best of five Twenty20 International series in Dunedin.

After winning the toss and bowling first, the White Ferns saw England hit 160/4 in their 20 overs, led by 63 to captain Heather Knight, as part of a 91-run partnership with Maia Bouchier (43).

Suzie Bates led New Zealand’s reply with 65, but lacked the support from her teammates, with Brooke Halliday’s 27 not out the next best on offer.

Game two begins at 1pm on Friday at Nelson’s Saxton Oval.