England Women defeat New Zealand in second IT20

England Women secured victory in their second IT20 against New Zealand, winning by 15 runs at Saxton Oval, Nelson.

Heather Knight made one change to the side who saw off the White Ferns in their opening match in Dunedin, Linsey Smith making her first England appearance since 2019 coming in for Lauren Filer.

The hosts welcomed back captain Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr following their Women’s Premier League commitments.

Devine and Rosemary Mair took two wickets each as the tourists’ batters struggled to gain rhythm.

At the halfway mark of the innings, England’s batters were 57-4 and 74-5 in the 13th.

Captain Knight led the recovery, scoring 63 with Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn recording 16 and 13 respectively as England finished on 149-7.

White Ferns batters Suzie Bates and Kerr formed a fast-moving partnership, the latter recorded 44 off 36 balls.

The returning Smith bowled Bates and once the impressive Kerr was dismissed in the fifteenth over by Danielle Gibson, the hosts lost five wickets for just eight runs.

Lauren Bell and Charlie Dean earned two-wickets apiece with Glenn dismissing Brooke Halliday.

Knight's outfit return to action on Sunday (24 March) where they take on the White Ferns at the same venue.

Sarah Glenn's post-match press conference is available to watch and download here.

England Women's Fixtures and Results

New Zealand Women v England Women fixtures (all timings in GMT)

19 March - 1st IT20 - Dunedin – England won by 27 runs

22 March - 2nd IT20 - Nelson – England won by 15 runs

24 March - 3rd IT20 - Nelson - 1am

27 March - 4th IT20 - Wellington - 1am

29 March - 5th IT20 - Wellington - 1am

31 March - 1st ODI - Wellington - 11pm

3 April - 2nd ODI - Hamilton - 11pm

6 April - 3rd ODI - Hamilton - 11pm

ENDS