England Women dominate New Zealand in the firstTwenty20
England women powered to an eight wicket victory over New Zealand at the Ford County Ground, Chelmsford, today.
England's first Twenty20 match of the NatWest Women's Quadrangular Series saw a devastating bowling display from England as they ripped through the New Zealand order with nine balls to spare, allowing them to post just 83 runs.
Katherine Brunt set the tone in the first over as she dismissed New Zealand Captain Aimee Watkins for a duck, but it was Player of the Match Holly Colvin (3-17) who caused the middle order to crumble leaving New Zealand on 48-4. Colvin followed up with the run-out of Liz Perry leaving New Zealand on 51-5 after 13 overs.
New Zealand never managed to build momentum and in her first game back on the international stage for five years, England's Arran Brindle joined the wicket haul celebrations as she picked up 3-11 removing New Zealand's last batter with three balls to spare.
Charlotte Edwards then led her team to victory in just 14 overs as she hit 40 not out and passed the milestone of 1000 runs in Twenty20 cricket. Edwards and Laura Marsh (24) made light work of New Zealand bowlers with some powerful boundaries as the pair put on 42 before Marsh was caught at mid-off by Watkins.
Claire Taylor replaced Marsh and put on 15 before she was run-out, leaving Lydia Greenway to join Edwards as the pair knocked off the remaining 11 runs. England finished on 86-2 and won the game by eight wickets in 14 overs.
Player of the Match Holly Colvin said: "I was really pleased with my bowling but it was a great team effort in the field. All the bowlers had a good day and we'll be confident going into the game against Australia on Saturday."
Charlotte Edwards said: "Katherine Brunt bowled brilliantly today and the spinners chipped away and bowled fantastically and were backed up well by the fielders. We've worked hard on our fielding recently and it has been something we have always prided ourselves on, so I'm really pleased with the performance today. "It's great the way we went out there and knocked off the runs, we were aggressive from the start and Laura Marsh played fantastically well. "I'm really looking forward to playing Australia on Saturday, they won today too so it should be an exciting game in Bristol."
England's next match in the NatWest Women's Quadrangular Series will be against Australia at The County Ground, Bristol on Saturday 25th June before England men take on Sri Lanka.
Earlier today Australia women eased to a comfortable eight wicket victory over India women in the other Twenty20 match of the NatWest Women's Quadrangular Series at Billericay Cricket Club. India made 62 and Australia finished on 63-2 in the 11th over.
Schedule NatWest Women's Quadrangular T20 Saturday, June 25 England Women v Australia Women, The County Ground, Gloucestershire 10.15 New Zealand Women v India Women, Clifton College, Bristol 10.45 Sunday, June 26 England Women v India Women, County Ground, Somerset 11.10 New Zealand Women v Australia Women, Taunton Vale, Somerset 11.00 Monday, June 27 FINAL, The Rose Bowl, Hampshire 15.10 3rd/4th play off, The Army Cricket Ground, Hampshire 10.45
NatWest Women's Quadrangular Series 2011 Thursday, June 30 England Women v India Women, County Ground, Derbyshire 14.30 Australia Women v New Zealand, Chesterfield CC, Derbyshire 10.45 Saturday, July 02 England Women v New Zealand Women, County Ground, Derbyshire 10.45 India Women v Australia Women, Chesterfield CC, Derbyshire 10.45 Tuesday, July 05 New Zealand Women v India Women, Southgate CC, London 10.45 England Women v Australia Women Lord's 10.45 Thursday, July 07 England Women v 3/4th or FINAL, Wormseed CC, Buckinghamshire 10.45 3/4th or FINAL, Aston Rowant CC, Buckinghamshire 10.45
