Overview
- Alice Capsey was promoted to open and hit an unbeaten 74 from 51 balls on Wednesday to guide England to a seven-wicket win at the County Ground in Derby.
- Lauren Bell struck with the first ball and finished 2-23 as New Zealand were held to 136 for 7, with Sophie Devine top-scoring on 45 off 22 balls.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt remains ruled out with a left calf tear so Charlie Dean is captain for the T20s, a change that forces England to test leadership and balance before the World Cup.
- The two remaining T20Is are at Canterbury on May 23 and Hove on May 25 and will be used to finalise combinations ahead of England’s home T20 World Cup which starts on June 12.
- England’s win boosts confidence but raises selection questions as younger players such as Capsey press their case while the side prepares to face the defending champions and defend a No.2 ranking in the build-up.