England 197-3 (20 overs): Wyatt 76 (51); Tahuhu 2-33
New Zealand 138-9 (20 overs): Bates 43 (33); Glenn 3-16
England won by 59 runs
England continued their dominance over New Zealand with a crushing 59-run win in the opening T20 at Southampton. After sweeping the preceding one-day international series 3-0, the hosts began the shorter format in style by posting an imposing 197-3.
New Zealand started their chase confidently, but a monumental collapse from 63-1 to 67-6 dashed their hopes. Jess Kerr’s spirited 38 from 25 balls helped the White Ferns avoid complete capitulation, finishing at 138-9 in their 20 overs.
Leg-spinner Sarah Glenn turned the match with three wickets in the 10th over, including the pivotal dismissals of Suzie Bates (43) and captain Sophie Devine (0). England experimented with four spinners for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, featuring Glenn, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, and left-armer Linsey Smith.
Danni Wyatt’s entertaining 76 from 51 balls and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s rapid 47 from 23 deliveries set up England’s highest T20 total against New Zealand. Freya Kemp’s unbeaten 26 from 17 balls further boosted England’s score.
New Zealand struggled to build pressure, and after Georgia Plimmer’s early run-out, Amelia Kerr and Bates tried to maintain the run rate. However, their dismissals exposed New Zealand’s over-reliance on key players. Glenn, Dean, Smith, and Ecclestone exploited this vulnerability, leading England to their biggest T20 win over New Zealand by margin of runs.
Reaction:
England captain Heather Knight: “It was probably up there in terms of completeness, a few dropped catches aside. We really wanted to attack the game and start the T20 series exactly how we did in the one-day series. We tried something different with four spinners but it’s great to have so many options.”
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine: “I thought England put a really competitive score on the board and it was just too much for us today. We’re showing glimpses but we need consistent performances playing against a side like England.”
Player of the match Danni Wyatt: “I am just trying to stay calm at all times and back myself. That’s what T20 cricket is all about. I was supported well by Maia Bouchier at the top and Nat Sciver-Brunt came in and does what she does.”