Days ahead of the three-T20I series against India, England bowled out reigning T20 World Champions New Zealand for paltry 80 to win the series 2-1. Skipper Charlie Dean and Danielle Gibson wreaked havoc with three-fers as New Zealand's long batting lineup was rendered powerless at Country Ground, Hove on May 25.
White Ferns collapse
New Zealand skipper Amelia Kerr won the toss and opted to bat first. Linsey Smith and Issy Wong did not concede a single boundary in their first overs. In the third over, Suzie Bates lost patience and lost her wicket to Linsey after scoring just three runs from 11 deliveries. There was much movement on offer but Isabella Gaze took the attacking route. In the sixth over, Charlie introduced herself into the attack and knocked over Isabella who scored 17 runs from 13 deliveries. New Zealand were 29/2 after powerplay overs.
Then, Gibson was introduced into the attack and she struck twice to dismiss Amelia and Sophie Devine. Amelia managed to score just five runs from 11 deliveries whereas Devine returned to the dugout for a five-ball duck. The collapse continued. Charlie got Brooke Halliday out lbw. White Ferns lost half the side for 32 in eight overs.
Sophie Ecclestone joined the party by getting Izzy Sharp out for a three-ball duck. No boundaries were scored for nearly eighth overs. Maddy Green found a boundary in the 13th over. Jess Kerr hit a four as well in the next over. As the visitors were looking to accelerate, Gibson returned to dismiss Maddy who scored 14 runs from 18 balls. Then, Linsey dismissed Nensi Patel lbw. Jess Kerr top-scored with a 27-ball 20. She fell to Issy in the 18th over. On the first ball of the final over, Charlie got the wicket of Bree Illing as New Zealand were bowled out for 80.
Easy run chase for England
England openers started the run chase with caution. In the third over, Nensi dismissed Alice Capsey lbw. Sophia Dunkley found boundaries in the powerplay overs. Bree got the prized wicket in the sixth over. Sophia departed for a 21-ball 24 featuring four boundaries. Maia Bouchier and Heather Knight abandoned the attacking approach in the middle overs. The partnership was eventually broken by Amelia in the 13th over. Heather was dismissed for a 22-ball 18. But, it was merely a consolation cricket as England chased down the 81-run target with seven wickets in hand and 37 balls to spare. Maia remained unbeaten for 19 off 29 deliveries.
England to face India next
England were able to level the three-T20I series 2-1. Their next assignment before ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is a three-T20I series against reigning ODI World Champions. In their warm-up game, India registered a comprehensive win at Chelmsford against ECB Development Women's XI. The two teams will lock horns at the venue on May 28.