Cricket: Underdone White Ferns loses opening to England

The White Ferns have lost to the eighth consecutive Twenty20 national team against England after opening three squares in Chelmsford.

Sharing 184 wins, New Zealand crashed 138 over 19 and lost 47 runs.

New Zealand has now lost 17 of the last 18 of the 20 England, and the last win came in 2015.

When veterans Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates dismissed the third because of an already massive challenge, New Zealand became even more frightening. Amy Satterthwaite did her best to repair the ship with 43 balls out of 31 balls, but when she was received at the midwife’s border on the 13th, the New Zealand Behind run was virtually past 82 and six.

Some late strokes at a lower level made it at least somewhat respectable, but New Zealand needs to improve significantly in all areas so that they can return to the series.

When the England players came out of The Hundred home series, it was clear they were better prepared against the New Zealand team, which played their first international after 30 March.

On behalf of the hosts, Tammy Beaumont made 97 balls out of 65 balls that fell under a century and carried their rackets in the second to last ball of England’s innings. Camoes from Amy Jones (31 out of 15 balls) and Sophia Dunkley (23 17) helped push England past 180, while New Zealand’s field effort was less than a pair.

Devine dropped two straight catches as New Zealand let England get rid of the middle.

Jensen selected the New Zealand bowlers by taking 2-26 out of four of his four laps, while Devine was the only bowler to escape the messy characters (0-24 out of four).

The second T20 will be held on Sunday in Hove.