England women’s team crush New Zealand’s in T20I series opener

SOUTHAMPTON:  Danni Wyatt’s quickfire half-century, followed by Sarah Glenn’s brilliant bowling figures of 3/16 led England Women to a thumping 59-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20I here at The Utilita Bowl.

Put into bat first, England Women notched up a massive total of 197/3 on the board, courtesy of a marathon second-wicket partnership between Wyatt and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Earlier, openers Maia Bouchier and Wyatt gave England women a solid start with a 61-run stand.

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The opening partnership ended when Lea Tahuhu dismissed Bouchier on the fourth delivery of the eighth over. Bouchier made 32 off 26 balls with the help of five fours.

Wyatt was then joined by Nat Sciver-Brunt at the crease and the two combined to form a match-defining partnership. They added 82 runs to the total, conceding just 45 deliveries, before Edan Carson got rid of Sciver-Brunt in the 16th over.

Nat Sciver-Brunt fell agonizingly short of her well-deserved half-century as she scored a quickfire 47 off just 23 deliveries, hitting nine fours. Meanwhile, Wyatt carried her bat till the 18th over until Tahuhu struck again to draw curtains on her brilliant.

Danni Wyatt remained the top-scorer for England women with a 51-ball 76 which featured a dozen boundaries including a six. Tahuhu was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand with two wickets while Carson took one.

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In response, New Zealand only managed 138/9 in the allotted overs despite Suzie Bates’ gutsy innings up the order. Bates remained the top-scorer for the White Ferns with a 33-ball 43, laced up with five boundaries and a six.

Besides her, Emilia Kerr was the other notable run-getter for New Zealand with a 26-ball 38 while the rest made modest contributions in the run chase. Notably, the second Women’s T20I of the five-match series between England and New Zealand will take place on June 9 in Hove. – INP