Cricket: White Ferns collapse to second T20 international defeat to England

  • 22/03/2024

The White Ferns have again been comfortably beaten in their second Twenty20 international against England, falling to a 15-run defeat in Nelson on Friday.

The English rallied late to post a competitive total of 149/7. In reply, the New Zealanders lost wickets in bunches and never genuinely looked likely to reach their target, finishing at 134/8 to go down 2-0 in the five-match series on the back of their 27-run loss in Tuesday's opener.

Amelia Kerr in action.
Amelia Kerr in action. Photo credit: Photosport

Sophie Devine's decision to send the tourists in to bat after winning the toss immediately paid dividends, as she removed dangerwoman Sophia Dunkley in the second over.

England steadied themselves before losing three quick wickets, looking to captain Heather Knight to anchor their offence.

Knight struck 56 off just 40 balls to help her side rally late in the innings, combining with Charlie Dean (16) for a 45-run seventh-wicket to salvage a very respectable total.

Rosemary Mair was the pick of the NZ bowlers, taking 2/25, while Devine finished with 2/30 off three overs.

In response, the White ferns managed to keep pace with the required run rate through the early stages, mostly thanks to the efforts of Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr.

But once their big guns departed - most notably Kerr (44 off 36) in the 15th over - the hosts completely capitulated, losing five wickets for just eight runs to collapse to defeat.

The teams remain in Nelson for the third match of the series on Sunday.