England Women claim six wicket victory over New Zealand

England women got their Twenty20 series off to a flying start with a six wicket victory over the New Zealand White Ferns today. As reported previously on the Kent Cricket website, the squad includes five Kent women.

Anya Shrubsole put in a match winning performance taking a career best 5-11– the best Twenty20 figures in England Women's history.

Kent's Charlotte Edwards opted to field first at the WestpacStadium and the decision paid off as England’s bowlers excelled, restricting the hosts to 80for ninefrom their 20 overs.

Shrubsole claimed her first scalp of Sara McGlashan in the fourth overand the hosts continued to suffer to the hands of the Somerset seamer as Susie Bates and Katie Perkins were bowled in the sixth over, leaving New Zealand on 21for three.

Danielle Hazell put in afine performance taking 3-15 with Susie Rowe landing the catch of Amy Satterthwaite as she skiedto mid-on, then three balls later Hazell trapped Liz Perry plumb in front. The hosts were left struggling on 35for sixas Laura Marsh had Frances Mackay dismissed lbw attempting to sweep.

The White Ferns desperately tried to build throughKate Broadmoreand Katey Martin, but as Shrubsole returned for her final spell Martin went lbw for 12 and Morna Neilsen was bowled for a ducknext ball.

Broadmorebatted out the innings with Sian Ruck as the hosts set England a modest target of 81.

Edwards and Laura Marsh attacked from the first balland the captain posted a quick fire 19, hitting hit three boundaries before she picked out McGlashan at midwicket.

Ruckgave the hostsglimmer of hopewhenshe bowled Marshand then trapped Lydia Greenwaylbwwith consecutive deliveries.

ButEngland continued to dominate as Sarah Taylorand Tamsin Beaumont comfortably knocked off the remaining 37 runs with 14 balls to spare, finishing not out on 31 and 17 respectively.

Player of the match Anya Shrubsole said: “We had a great start to the series today. We are all really pleasedwith our performance and to continue the momentum from our warm up games.

“All the bowlersdid well today and were backed up with some great fielding.

“I’m delighted with my figures and performance; it’s definitely a day I will remember. I’m really excited about the rest of the series.”

The second T20 of the series will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.

Highlights of all matches can be viewed on the New Zealand Cricket website

England women match schedule

Sunday 19 February, 2^nd T20 Seddon Park, Hamilton 1445 (0145 GMT) (before Black Caps v South Africa)

Wednesday 22 February, 3^rd T20 Eden Park, Auckland 1445 (0145 GMT) (before Black Caps v South Africa)

Saturday 25 February, 4^th T20 Queens Park, Invercargill 1400 (0100 GMT)

Sunday 26 February, 5^th T20 Queens Park, Invercargill 1400 (0100 GMT)

Thursday 1 March,1^st ODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University 1030 (2130 Wed 29^th Feb GMT)

Saturday 3 March,2^nd ODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University 1030 (2130 Fri 2^nd March GMT)

Monday 5 March, 3^rdODI Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University 1030 (2130 Sun 4^th March GMT)