The England Women have won the first Twenty20 match against the White Ferns at Westpac Stadium in Wellington by six wickets.
Chasing 81 for victory, England were lead to victory by Sarah Taylor who scored 31 off 34 deliveries to end the game after 17.2 overs.
The White Ferns were put into bat after losing the toss and struggled against the English bowling attack. Early wickets hurt the White ferns with skipper Suzie Bates the only one from the top order to make double figures with ten.
It got even worse for the Ferns as they capitulated to 35 for six.
Thankfully things started to get better when wicketkeeper Katey Martin and bowling all-rounder Kate Broadmore put on a crucial seventh wicket stand of 21.
Martin was dismissed for 12, but Broadmore carried on accumulating to top score with an unbeaten 27.
Her valuable contribution helped lead New Zealand to something that resembled a defendable total, finishing the 20 overs at 80 for four.
Young Anya Shrubsole had a superb day with the ball for England and finished with the incredible figures of five for 15 from four overs. Danni Hazell was also amongst the wickets, picking up three for 11 from four overs.
In reply England knew that it would only take one player to take the game away from New Zealand and Sarah Taylor stood tall for the away side.
New Zealand looked a chance having grabbed the momentum and restricting England to 44 for four. It didn’t last though as a 37 run partnership between Taylor and Tammy Beaumont ended the Ferns’ ambitions.
Taylor showed just how classy a batsmen she is by posting an unbeaten 31 and was assisted by Beaumont who finished with 17 not out. The pair finished off the game with six wickets and 2.2 overs in hand.
Sian Ruck was the most effective of New Zealand’s bowlers and finished with figures of two for 15 from four overs.
It was an impressive first performance by the English, who really killed the Fern’s chances with a magnificent bowling display.
The two sides meet on Sunday in Hamilton for the second of five Twenty20s.
