ENG-W vs NZ-W: Dean's all-round brilliance helps England go 1-0 up with thrilling win

England women took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand women with a thrilling one-wicket victory in the first ODI on Sunday, May 10 at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street.

After being asked to bat first, New Zealand women were bundled out for 210 in 48.4 overs. With openers Suzie Bates (6 off 10) and Georgia Plimmer (20 off 34) returning to the pavilion cheaply, captain Amelia Kerr (55 off 82) and Maddy Green stabilised the innings with their massive partnership.

The duo added 105 runs for the third wicket off 138 balls to bring their team into a commanding position. However, following their dismissals, none of the other batters could withstand the resurgence by the English bowlers, and New Zealand failed to play their full quota of 50 overs.

Captain Charlotte Dean (2/21, 7 overs), Lauren Bell (2/38, 9.4 overs) and Tilly Corteen-Coleman (2/49, 10 overs) scalped two wickets each for England. In reply, the hosts were also reduced to 42/3 after 12.2 overs, before a 68-run stand off 82 balls for the fourth wicket between Maia Bouchier (59 off 69) and Freya Kemp (30 off 38) helped their team cross the 100-run mark.

After the duo returned to the pavilion, captain Dean (31* off 46) got involved in useful stands with Danielle Gibson (19 off 19) and Lauren Bell (12 off 27) to help her team chase down the target in 48.2 overs with just one wicket remaining. The two teams will next meet in the second ODI on Wednesday, May 13 at County Ground, Northampton.

Top run-scorer of the Match

Top wicket-taker of the Match

Player of the Match

England captain Charlotte Dean was adjudged Player of the Match for her sensational all-round show. She first scalped two wickets with the ball and later played a handy innings of 31* (46) to help her team cross the line in the penultimate over.

Turning Point

England were reduced to 160/7 after 34.2 overs, needing another 51 runs to win. Seeing her team in a precarious position, captain Dean found good support from Lauren Bell, with the duo adding 35 runs for the eighth wicket off 56 balls. The partnership eventually became the turning point of the match, helping England get closer to the target as Dean took them over the line, batting with the tail.

What did the captains say:

Winning Captain, Charlotte Dean (England Women):

"One for one, brilliant start from us. To ship them for 200 made it more doable. To be not out at the end with Tilly was fantastic and what a day she's had there, too. Just holding your nerve and trusting that the girls can do their job, too. [TCC batting] She came in with a plan, she takes everything in her stride. She held her nerve and was brilliant with ball and bat. Maddy and Melie had a brilliant partnership but we felt we could stay patient, and those wickets at the death made it easier for us. [Fielding still needs work?] Think so, we know our standards and looking forward to that growing as the series goes on. [Injuries] Big squad, room to cover bases. Bit of flexibility and credit to the XI. I did, nerve-wracking at the start but being out on there on the pitch is what I enjoy."

Losing Captain, Amelia Kerr (New Zealand Women):

(On their first innings score) I think the wicket was a little bit slow, and when Maddy and I were out there, we got it pretty deep. It was going to be a really good score on that wicket, and I think we were set up to do that, and unfortunately lost wickets at the back end, which didn't allow us to get that big score. But we fought really hard to be able to take it that deep.

(On losing wickets in the death) Yeah, I think there's kind of two big moments where you — I guess it's the first and the last over there — and you think maybe if we'd got to 150, we potentially could have cruised it with a bit more scoreboard pressure to bowl to. But I mean, you've just got to learn from each game. No one tries to make mistakes, no one tries to get out, but we've got to learn and be better. I think we played across the line a little bit, and yeah, I thought our bowlers were outstanding to get the game so deep.

(On the crucial catch being dropped in the end) Yeah, it's pretty disappointing, but yeah, mistakes happen and that's kind of the game, I suppose. But yeah, great game of cricket for the crowd, and hopefully we can turn it around for the next game.

(On NZ bowling attack) It's really nice. I think the bowlers are in a really good place, probably myself more included in there, but yeah, I think the team's just brilliant. So much control, and then I thought Rosemary was very dangerous as well.

(On English conditions) It is a little bit different. I think at home I've been bowling indoors, and yeah, you don't have the wind and all of that. But I'm feeling in a good place with my bowling. Just tonight I didn't have much rhythm, but just trying to still get it done in a way, and I guess getting those breaks, a couple of breakthroughs, brought us back into the game."