Overview
- New Zealand rallied from 11-4 to post 170-5 at Canterbury on Saturday after Sophie Devine scored 87 and Maddy Green finished 56 not out in a 159-run fifth-wicket partnership.
- England replied with 156-6 but fell 14 runs short as Maia Bouchier top-scored with 38 and tight middle overs from New Zealand disrupted the chase.
- Linsey Smith took three early wickets to leave the visitors reeling but was taken out of the powerplay by stand-in captain Charlie Dean, a move widely criticised by former players and pundits.
- The series is now level at 1-1 and the deciding third T20 will be played at Hove on Monday, May 25, with both teams using the match to finalise selections ahead of the home T20 World Cup.
- New Zealand's win ended an eight-match losing run to England and gives the White Ferns momentum while England faces questions over captaincy, bowling rotation and selection with Nat Sciver-Brunt sidelined and Danni Wyatt-Hodge on maternity leave.