New Zealand Women made a remarkable turnaround after the first match hammering at the hands of England Women to win the second match at Hove by four wickets and level the three-match T20I series 1-1.
New Zealand skipper was the star for the visitors as she took 2 for 28 with the ball and then scored 50 off 41 with the bat to put NZ in a winning position.
As it happened, New Zealand Women won the toss and opted to bowl first. England Women had an awful start as they lost three important wickets inside the powerplay. Jess Kerr removed the star of the last game, Tammy Beaumont (13), while Devine pegged the hosts back by sending Nat Sciver (4) and Any Jones (0) back, reducing them to 25/3 in five overs.
Danni Wyatt took the reins in her hands and rebuilt the England innings, first with Sophia Dunkley (21) and then with Maia Bouchier (25). Wyatt’s knock of 35 off 29 ended in the 16th over when the hosts were eyeing a big final flourish.
After conceding 184 in the first match, New Zealand bowlers put on a much-improved performance here. Leigh Kasperek, Devine and Hannah Row took two wickets each to restrict England Women to 127/7.
Chasing 128, Devine sublimely started the innings, but Suzie Bates struggled at the other end. The duo added 31 runs for the first wicket before Bates was dismissed on eight off 16 at the end of the fifth over.
Devine continued her terrific knock that saw her hit two fours and four sixes. Devine, first with Amy Satterthwaite (11) and later with Maddy Green (21), took NZ to 100/2 in 14.1 overs.
28 off 35 with eight wickets in hand. The chase should’ve been straightforward, but NZ lost both the set batters, Devine and Green in a matter of seven balls, and it became chaotic. They lost two more wickets, but Hayley Jensen added seven runs before getting out. Katey Martin (7) kept her cool and took the team over the line with four wickets and 10 balls to spare.
With the series level at 1-1, England and New Zealand will go head to head in the series decider at Taunton on September 9.
Brief Scores
England Women – 127/7 in 20 overs (Danni Wyatt 35, Maia Bouchier 25; Leigh Kasperek 2/20, Hannah Row 2/12, Sophie Devine 2/28)
New Zealand Women – 128/6 in 18.2 overs (Sophie Devine 50, Maddy Green 21; Tash Farrant 2/32) won by 4 wickets.
