Superb England hammer disappointing New Zealand in ODI series opener

Charlie Dean picked up four wickets before both England opening batters made half centuries to complete a comprehensive victory

Nick Friend | 26/06/2024 at 17:14

Chester-le-Street: New Zealand 156, England 157-1 - England win by nine wickets

Maia Bouchier and Tammy Beaumont made rapid half centuries as England made light work of New Zealand in the first of three ODIs.

The tourists started well after winning the toss and electing to bat, but their hopes of beginning the series with a win disappeared during a dismal batting performance from the moment that Georgia Plimmer was carelessly run out in the eleventh over.

New Zealand were 56 for 1 – having lost Suzie Bates to the pace of Lauren Filer during the powerplay – when Amelia Kerr pushed a drive towards mid-on and set off for a sharp single, only for the ball to hit Plimmer, the non-striker, and ricochet to Bouchier at short midwicket, who had the simple task of throwing the ball to Amy Jones to complete the runout.

Several of the visiting batters, though, were simply guilty of missing straight balls, often stuck on the crease or playing across the line. Charlie Dean was the prime beneficiary, racing through the tail with two lbws and a bowled.

By then, Sophie Ecclestone had picked up the key wickets of Sophie Devine – superbly caught behind by Jones – and Kerr, top-edging a slog-sweep.

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^{England were clear winners in the first ODI of the series (David Rogers/Getty Images)}

Nat Sciver-Brunt trapped Maddy Green in front, but barring Brooke Halliday's half century – the left-hander struck 51, including the only six of the innings – there was very little resistance from a disappointing New Zealand display on a terrific surface at Chester-le-Street.

Halliday eventually fell to Sarah Glenn, playing an ODI alongside Ecclestone and Dean for just the second time, with Kate Cross missing out with a niggle, as the visitors were bowled out inside 34 overs.

In response, England raced to victory. Beaumont finished unbeaten on 76 from 69 balls, while Bouchier pulled and drove for 67 in 50 balls, before being well caught at extra cover. The pair put on 137 in 17.2 overs as the hosts raced to a 157-run target – well below par for the day – in just 21.2 overs.

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