England maintained their 100 per cent tour record against New Zealand in the DLS with a 23-run win at Hove Stadium on Tuesday night.
The visitors’ only respite came from the weather, with a two-hour rain delay before the start of the match shortened to nine overs apiece, but after just 6.4 overs of play New Zealand stepped in again to limit Their catch-up momentum.
But England dominated throughout, nearly reaching 10-plus before overcoming tricky, wet conditions, leaving New Zealand five wickets behind and well behind when the rain returned.
Alice Capsey loves batting at Hove – she hit a half-century against Sri Lanka here last September – and is showing some of the confidence she has lacked of late , playing her first ball from the 28th over against Sophie Devine. ‘s catch knocked the stuffing out of New Zealand’s chase.
“It’s great that Kapusi got the opportunity today,” teammate Charlie Dean said. “We know how strong and fiery she is. It was really impressive to clear the ropes on the mountain in Hove.
In the chase, New Zealand are confident in the throwback style of their old opening pair of Susie Bates and Sophie Devine – with Devine moving up the order from fourth to reunite the Smash Sisters Up – But the New Zealand skipper pulled Lauren Bell into the hands of Capsey in the second over. Melie Kerr repeated the feat five balls later and then, as the noose tightened, two wickets from Dean’s single sealed New Zealand’s fate .
Earlier, England’s batsmen had apparently been given license to stir after New Zealand elected to bowl first. Maia Bouchier warmed up with just three balls before effortlessly flicking Jess Kerr over the leg-side rope for six, while Nat Silver Nat Sciver-Brunt took advantage of being bowled by Georgia Plimmer at deep to smash a huge boundary on the roof of the pitch. .
Leigh Kasperek returned to the international stage after a 12-month absence, scoring three runs from Capsey in the penultimate game, while Melie Kerr Two more wickets were gained in the ninth over. But Sophie Ecclestone faced just one goal and made an impact, scoring six times in a row and England’s depth came through.
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England have already won the ODI series and can seal the T20 series if they win the third game at Canterbury on Thursday.
