Spinners dominate 37-run win

England 150 for 5 (Edwards 46, Taylor 34, Ruck 2-27) beat New Zealand 113 (McGlashan 25, Wyatt 3-12, Hazell 2-19) by 37 runs
Scorecard

England's women completed a clinical victory over World Twenty20 finalists New Zealand at Chelmsford, wrapping the visitors up for 113 to win the opening Twenty20 international of the tour by 37 runs.

The victory was set up by a solid performance from England's batting line-up, with captain Charlotte Edwards' patient 46 anchoring the innings after she won the toss and opted to bat first, and the middle order chipping in for a total of 150 for 5. Edwards then used her slow bowlers extensively, with spin accounting for seven wickets.

Despite the early loss of Suzie Bates - who was superbly caught by Lydia Greenway at straight midwicket - New Zealand had looked well set to challenge England's effort with the bat when captain Aimee Watkins and Sara McGlashan combined in a 47-run stand for the second wicket. But once Watkins departed for 24, caught by Greenway as she tried to clear the deep midwicket boundary, England had their opening and continued to pick up regular wickets.

Laura Marsh had opened the bowling, and it was Danielle Hazell's offspin that accounted for Watkins. she got rid of McGlashan two overs later to spark New Zealand's demise, as they lost eight wickets for 54 runs.

After a subdued Sophie Devine had been bowled by Holly Colvin for 9 from 15 balls, Liz Perry and Nicola Browne briefly threatened a fightback as they both cleared the boundary in a stand of 28 in under four overs. But after they were removed in consecutive balls by impressive youngster Danielle Wyatt with the score on 100, New Zealand quickly crumbled.

Anya Shrubsole picked up two wickets in three balls, dismissing Rachel Priest and Lucy Doolan, and Greenway then capped an outstanding day in the field with the run-out of Kate Broadmore to go with her four catches. With the match already lost, Maria Fahey charged down the track at Wyatt only to miss the ball completely, Sarah Taylor whipping the bails off in a flash to end the game.

England's innings had been well set-up by a 68-run stand between Claire Taylor and Edwards at the top of the innings. With Edwards anchoring the innings, Taylor played her shots in an aggressive 32-ball 34.

Marsh picked up where Taylor left off, improvising with gusto in a cameo that included a Dilscoop over the 'keeper's head and a flat-batted swipe over square leg. Despite the loss of Edwards four runs short of a deserved half-century, Greenway and Wyatt kept up the momentum to boost England's match-winning total.