England's powerful spin attack played a crucial role as they won the first T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand by 59 runs at the Utility Bowl in Southampton.
Spinners Charlie Dean (2-28), Sarah Glenn (3-16) and Sophie Eccleston (1-27) combined for five wickets in 11 balls as they savaged New Zealand's middle order and chased down England's tough target of 198 runs.
That target was secured with an impressive batting performance, particularly from Danny Wyatt (76), who reached the total in 51 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six to leave New Zealand with their biggest run-chasing effort yet.
After a 3-0 thumping of New Zealand in the ODI series, Heather Knight's side are now using this T20I match as a key preparation for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October. The team's four spinners were a surprising choice, but they have paid off.
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Check out Danni Wyatt's best shot from the 1st T20 against New Zealand to score 50.
Glenn, England's spin power boost to 3rd straight win
With England having four spin options in Dean, Glenn, Eccleston and Lindsey Smith (1-26), the bowling attack took some time to settle down in the powerplay, and the breakthrough finally came quickly.
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Georgia Plimmer was knocked out for the third time on New Zealand's tour of England as the White Ferns fell 12-1.
It is fair to say that Plimmer (1) was out for her wicket in the second over, as she was out for only the third time in the series across formats, but Dean's excellent delivery saw Amelia Kerr (18) removed and New Zealand's downfall began.
Glenn made her mark in the ninth over, taking three wickets, including a golden duck over to dispose of danger-seekers Susie Bates (43) and Maddie Green (0) between two balls, before ending the innings of New Zealand captain Sophie Devine (0).
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England's Sarah Glenn took three wickets in an over against New Zealand in the first T20 match.
That left New Zealand floundering at 64-5, as the visitors continued to crumble as they lost a total of five wickets in 11 balls, Isabella Gaze (0) ending her wicket-bombing run when she was stumped by a powerful ball from Eccleston.
Jess Kerr (38) and Brooke Holiday (13) tried to steady the ship for New Zealand but Dean took the opportunity once again to shake the stumps to dismiss the latter and send New Zealand ahead 110-7.
After missing four catches, Kerr was finally caught on the last ball of the 19th over, with Linsey Smith (1-26) involved in the action to take a spin wicket, while Kemp (1-30) gave the medium-pace bowlers a run as they secured a 59-run win by removing Tahuhu (17) on the last ball of the game.
Awesome Wyatt shows off his bat skills.
England got off to a great start in the powerplay despite the blustery weather, with Wyatt and Maia Bushe (32) combining to take a 52-0 lead in the first six crucial overs, each scoring five fours to put them firmly in the lead.
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Maia Bouchier was caught deep as England lost their first wicket to New Zealand in the opening T20.
New Zealand's first breakthrough came on the eighth turn, when Bushier lofted a ball from Rhea Tahuhu (2-33) to the waiting Georgia Plimmer, who put England 61-1 ahead.
But the ever-impressive Nat Sciver-Brunt (47) was in the crease alongside Wyatt and their partnership only increased the pressure, hitting two sixes and a four in the 11th over to take them to 100 in 11.2 overs and 50 in 12.4 overs.
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New Zealand got their second wicket before the England batsmen reached 50 after Amelia Kerr caught Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Wyatt reached his fifty in the 14th over, hitting seven fours and a six to reach his 15th fifty in this format.
It wasn't long before New Zealand found the breakthrough. Skeever-Brunt sent Eden Carson (1-26) to the waiting Amelia Kerr (0-30) to put England ahead 143-2, before Wyatt was eventually bowled out in the 18th over, leaving England with a solid 169-3.
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England batsman Danny Wyatt scores 76 on the boundary line.
Priya Kemp (26) and captain Heather Knight (4), who lost their star players, took advantage of the scoring opportunities in the last two overs to help the team post a final score of 197 – England's fifth-highest score ever in T20Is.
What they said: Wyatt: It was a good day | Knight: We showed great intentions
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Danny Wyatt was delighted after scoring 76 points.
Player of the match, Danny Wyatt:
“I just tried to stay calm and support myself. It's always a good wicket here. Today was a good day and I had the support of Bouchier and Sciver-Brunt.
“It just felt like it was blowing in the wind. In T20, you just have to enjoy your day.
“There's a pretty big game going on, should we go?”
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England captain Heather Knight looks back on the team's 59-run win over New Zealand in the opening T20 match.
England captain Heather Knight:
“Other than the drop catch, the performance is great and I like how many options there are.
“I tried four spinners for the first time and I thought Kemp's numbers didn't reflect the way she bowled, so it's great to see her back. She was good at the death and Lindsay was really good too.
“I think we have a lot of options. Barring Bell, she has done a lot for us in T20 cricket. We just have to choose based on the conditions.
“We started out with great intentions and made really smart choices.
“The crowd was great, we got some good support here.”
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New Zealand captain Sophie Devine was left dejected after the team's 59-point defeat to England.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine:
“I thought England were competitive, but we overdid it.
“It was disappointing for us. Susie and Jess were fantastic and it shows that if we play long enough we can do it. Glory be to England.
“We need to look in the mirror and think about how we can improve.
“My dismissal was terrible. As a captain I was supposed to lead from the front and I didn't.
“We must reflect and demonstrate consistent performance.”
What are your future plans?
Tuesday, July 9th at 6pm
England head to the No. 1 Central Counties Ground in Hove on Tuesday to take on New Zealand in the second T20I of the series.
Watch the second T20I between England and New Zealand live on Sky Sports from 6pm (1st ball 6.30pm) on Tuesday, July 9. Stream the series on NOW without a contract.
