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Second Twenty20 international, Hove England, 127-7 (20 runs): Wyatt35 (29); Rowe2-12, Kasperek2-20 New Zealand 128-6 (18.2overs) Devine 50 (41), Green21 (19) New Zealand won with four wickets Scorecard
New Zealand's Sophie Devine, captain of Twenty20, celebrated her 100th international Twenty20 appearance. She won a match-winning 50-century that set up a four-wicket win over an inept England at Hove.
Devine was chasing 128 to win and made 50 of 41 deliveries with the ball to give her side just 28 of 34 balls to set up series decider.
Mady Villiers caught an excellent catch, but she was outdone by the off-spinner who took a fantastic return catch and one on the boundary. However, the White Ferns won the match with 10 balls left.
England was unable to score 127-7 in their 20 overs earlier. Danni Wyatt, opener, scored an impressive 35. Maia Bouchier, debutant, made a promising 25.
Thursday, April 13th is the last game of the three-match series.
Devine makes a landmark appearance
Devine is a great example of where to start. Devine is a natural influencer, whether it's with the ball, bat or field.
Her display with the bat showed her dominating, powerful best after she took the wickets of Amy Jones and Nat Sciver from consecutive balls.
Devine, who also represented New Zealand in hockey was strong over the leg side. She hit four huge sixes, one out of the ground, as she tore apart England's below par total.
The 32-year old, who had taken a mental health break in March, was dropped by Sarah Glenn on 25. Sarah capitalized on this to give her side the opportunity to win the game.
Her dismissal led to a collapse of four wickets, for 24 runs. However, the visitors were always ahead due to her efforts with bat.
Devine was delighted to say that winning is a way of life. Although there were nerves, we knew that the girls would pull it off.
"We are growing, it is good to get it all together and bounce back quickly from our first game."
England's inept discipline makes it difficult to win on the field
England were without Heather Knight, their captain, as she continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Katherine Brunt was replaced by Freya Davies at 36. This left the attack with little experience.
Sophie Ecclestone had previously played 46 T20 internationals. Glenn, however, had only played 22, Villiers, Tash Farrant 16, and Davies.
The result was a lack of discipline. Coach Lisa Keightley will be very unhappy with the inexcusable 19 wides.
Villiers's superb performance in running out Suzie Bates was a testament to her dominance, and England got a glimpse of a win with three outstanding catches.
England lost their wickets and had to be beaten despite the pressure.
Brunt could return to the final game. However, it is important that England learn from defeats such as Saturday's in order to prepare for the 20-over World Cup 2023.
New Zealand has made significant improvements in this field
After not playing competitive cricket since April, the White Ferns looked rusty in their opening game. England's XI has played 216 games in that time, including the series against India and The Hundred.
On Wednesday, the tourists' bowlers were too wide and slow in the field. They also dropped catches. Devine, who won the toss on Saturday said she wanted to bowl a tighter ball and her side delivered.
Jess Kerr beat Tammy Beaumont who bowled a match-winning 97. Wyatt was caught at third by Kerr. Bouchier was also caught behind.
Catches win matches, it is a cliché. Beaumont was dropped twice in game one, but good catches on Saturday saw Sciver at deep square leg and Jones in the covers in consecutive balls, and the White Ferns took control of the match.
Emily Windsor, a Southern Vipers player, commented on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: "What's more evident in this game? New Zealand seem like they have set bowling goals to batters.
"They seem to be a lot clearer now."
