The England – New Zealand series moves to Northampton for the second ODI on May 13, with both teams coming off a heart-stopping opener in Durham. In that first game, England barely managed to scrape through with a one-wicket win, thanks to some gritty lower-order resistance from stand-in captain Charlie Dean after a mid-innings wobble. New Zealand will feel they let that one slip through their fingers; despite a brilliant 88 from Maddy Green and a fighting half-century from Amelia Kerr, their total of 210 just wasn’t quite enough to defend, even with Rosemary Mair’s fantastic three-wicket burst that nearly turned the game on its head.
Squads:
England Women’s Cricket Team
Charlie Dean, Em Arlott, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kira Chathli, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Team
Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, Flora Devonshire, Isabella Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Emma McLeod, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp
Players to watch out:
Maddy Green
Maddy was the backbone of the New Zealand innings, showing incredible composure to top score with 88 runs off 107 deliveries. Her knock was a masterclass in anchoring, featuring 9 boundaries and forming a vital 105-run partnership with Amelia Kerr that looked to set the White Ferns up for a huge total. This performance cemented her status as the leading run-scorer in women’s ODIs for 2026, continuing a remarkable run of form where she is now averaging nearly double what she did in the earlier part of her career.
Maia Bouchier
Maia played a crucial role in England’s nervy chase, providing the top-order stability they desperately needed with a fluent 59 off 69 balls. She found the ropes 4 times, rotating the strike effectively and keeping the required rate under control while wickets tumbled at the other end. Her ability to handle the pressure of a shifting momentum was a highlight of the match, setting the platform for England’s eventually successful, if narrow, one-wicket victory.
Rosemary Mair
Rosemary led the Kiwi bowling attack with immense heart, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 42 from her 10 overs. She was the primary reason the game turned into a final-over thriller, consistently breaking partnerships and bowling a crucial maiden over when the pressure was at its peak. Her strike rate of 66.67 in this match proved just how dangerous she can be in English conditions, nearly pulling off a miraculous win for her side.
Charlie Dean
Stepping up as England’s captain, Charlie Dean had a dream match, leading from the front to earn Player of the Match honors. She was exceptionally disciplined with the ball, taking 2 wickets for just 21 runs at a game-best economy of 3.00, before showing nerves of steel with the bat. Her unbeaten 31* at the tail end was the defining contribution of the game, guiding England home with just one wicket to spare in what will go down as a classic encounter.
Pitch:
The surface at the County Ground is traditionally batting-friendly, featuring a fresh track that allows top-order batters to play attacking shots freely, particularly during the powerplay. While the pitch offers good pace and bounce, seamers can expect some early movement with the new ball if they hit the right areas. As the match progresses, the surface tends to dry out, bringing spinners into play.
Weather:
The forecast indicates light rain during the day with a high temperature of 11°C and a low of 5°C. There is a 45% chance of precipitation during the daytime, accompanied by westerly winds at 16 mph and a humidity level of 72%.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Charlie Dean, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Sophie Ecclestone Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, Maddy Green, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair
Match Details:
Date – May 13, 2026
Time – 5:30 PM IST
Venue – County Ground, Northampton, England
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the Sony Liv app and website.
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