Posted by In a close first one-day international in Bristol, England overcame a sluggish batting effort to beat New Zealand by 30 runs. With New Zealand reduced to 177-9 and needing 242 to win, the hosts appeared to be on the verge of victory.
Amy Satterthwaite’s unbeaten 79 carried the game to the last stages, and her 34-run partnership with Leigh Kasperek for the last wicket kept New Zealand’s hopes alive. Lauren Winfield-Hill struck a magnificent direct smash to run out Kasperek and dismiss New Zealand for 211 with 21 balls to spare, giving England a 1-0 series lead.
England skipper Heather Knight scored an outstanding 89, but the hosts faltered twice after being asked to bat first. With three balls remaining, they went from 109-1 to 140-5, then from 228-5 to 241 all out.
Before the match, former captain Charlotte Edwards awarded off-spinner Charlie Dean with her cap, making her the first England player born in the 2000s.
Both sets of bowlers were vital, but it came down to two batting performances, with Knight edging out Satterthwaite by a whisker.
Source: BBC Sport