New Zealand draw first blood as a captain’s century from Suzie Bates broke New Zealand’s duck in the ICC Women’s Championship as England were beaten by 67 runs in the first of three games between these teams that count towards the Championship.
Bates’ 106 from 113 balls featuring 14 fours, a sixth hundred in her 67 one-day internationals, dominated an opening stand of 157 with Rachel Priest.
Heather Knight eventually broke through and went on to return a career-best 4-47 to limit the White Ferns to 240 for eight, much less than they had seemed on course for at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
However 241 proved a stiff target and although four tourists passed 20 none reached 30 as Anya Shrubsole top-scored with a sprightly 19-ball 29 from number 10 before England were dismissed in the 46th over.
Knight said: “It was a disappointing loss. We thought the wicket was going to do a bit first up, but we did well in the end to keep them to 240. But we never got going with the bat and lost wickets at key times. We need to dust ourselves down and get ready for the next game.”
On a positive note Rebecca Grundy gained her first wicket on her One day debut, in what proved to be a difficult opener for England. On to round two!
Full scorecard here.
