Spinners leave New Zealand clueless before twin half-centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier give England a blistering start to the ODI series
The England women’s team led by skipper Heather Knight is hosting New Zealand led by skipper Sophie Devine for a white ball series that includes a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series. The series commenced on 26th June 2024 and will conclude on 17th July 2024.
The last time these two sides met each other for a white ball series, New Zealand were the hosts in March-April earlier this year. England emerged victorious in the five-match T20I series (4-1) and the three-match ODI series (2-1). New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and opted to bat first in the 1st ODI at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street.
The New Zealand openers Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer got their side off to a flying start, scoring nine runs an over. Lauren Filer cleaned up Suzie Bates in the 4th over of the innings to provide the first breakthrough for England. Amelia Kerr joined Georgia Plimmer at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 29-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to tilt the powerplay in favour of New Zealand. Georgia Plimmer was found short of her crease to provide the 2nd breakthrough for England, immediately after the conclusion of the powerplay.
New Zealand suffered a mini collapse losing their next three wickets for just 19 runs. Wicket-keeper batter Isabella Gaze joined Brooke Halliday at the crease with New Zealand in trouble at 75/5 in the 15th over of the innings. The duo led some sort of recovery with a crucial 28-run partnership for the 6th wicket. Charlie Dean picked up the wicket of the wicket-keeper batter Isabella Gaze to provide the 6th breakthrough for her side.
New Zealand were eventually bundled out for 156 with 99 balls to spare. Brooke Halliday (51 off 60 balls), Georgia Plimmer (29 off 32 balls), and Suzie Bates (16 off 12 balls) were the top performers with the bat for New Zealand. Charlie Dean (9-1-38-4), Sophie Ecclestone (7-1-28-2), Lauren Filer (5-1-18-1), and Nat Sciver-Brunt (5-1-19-1) were the top performers with the ball for England.
Chasing a target of 157, the England openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier killed the run chase with a massive 137-run opening partnership. Brooke Halliday picked up the wicket of Maia Bouchier to provide the much-needed first breakthrough for New Zealand. Skipper Heather Knight joined Tammy Beaumont at the crease and the duo took their side over the line with a 20-run 2nd wicket partnership. England sealed a dominating victory with nine wickets in hand and 172 balls to spare.
Tammy Beaumont (76 off 69 balls), and Maia Bouchier (67 off 50 balls) were the top performers with the bat for England. Jess Kerr (5-0-26-0), and Brooke Halliday (3.2-0-17-1) were the top performers with the ball for New Zealand. Charlie Dean was awarded the Player of the Match for her brilliant match-winning spell (9-1-38-4) with the ball, playing a crucial role in helping England go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series.
The 2nd ODI of the series will be played at the County Ground, New Road, Worcester on 30th June (Sunday) 2024 from 3:30 PM IST.