Canterbury, May 24: The New Zealand women’s cricket team secured a thrilling 14-run victory against England in the second T20 match at St Lawrence Ground on Saturday. This win brought the three-match series to a 1-1 tie. The final and decisive match is set to take place on May 25 at the County Ground in Hove.
Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first and posted a total of 170 runs, losing 5 wickets in the process. The team’s start was rocky, as they lost 4 wickets for just 11 runs within 3.4 overs. However, Sophie Devine and Maddy Green turned the game around, forming a remarkable partnership of 158 runs for the fifth wicket off 98 balls.
Sophie Devine scored 87 runs off 57 balls, hitting 6 sixes and 5 fours before being dismissed. Maddy Green contributed an unbeaten 56 runs from 48 balls, including 2 sixes and 4 fours. On the opposing side, Linsey Smith was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs, while Lauren Bell claimed 1 wicket.
In response, England could only manage 156 runs, losing 6 wickets in their allotted overs. Sophia Dunkley and Alice Capsy opened with a partnership of 31 runs. Dunkley scored 26 runs off 18 balls, hitting 5 boundaries before getting out. Maia Bouchier then partnered with Capsy, adding 45 runs for the second wicket off 37 balls, bringing the team’s score to 76.
Capsy returned to the pavilion after scoring 22 runs off 19 balls, which included 2 fours. Bouchier later added 38 runs off 33 balls, partnering with Heather Knight to push the score past 100. Knight scored 25 runs off 23 balls but could not lead the team to victory. For New Zealand, Nancy Patel was impressive, taking 2 wickets for 25 runs, while Bree Illing, Lea Tahuhu, and Amelia Kerr each took 1 wicket.
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