Talented youngsters bat NZ home to four-wicket win

New Zealand's lower middle-order came through a test of character and application with flying colours today as they helped beat England by four wickets in what turned into a close call at the Lincoln No 3 ground today.

New Zealand appeared to be cruising in their quest for 141 runs when a stunning opening partnership of 73 runs off 76 balls between Rebecca Rolls and Michelle Lynch had England reeling.

But some poor shot selection by the batsmen created some unnecessary pressure as playing across the line became more the habit than it should have.

However, the relatively inexperienced pair of Sara McGlashan and Aimee Mason shared an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 34 off 53 balls to see New Zealand home.

Mason, who played her natural game of controlled attack, scored 15 off 23 balls while McGlashan hit nine off 33.

New Zealand captain Emily Drumm said it had been yet another match where they were chasing a messy little total after getting a flyer to start with.

The batsmen had not done enough to hold their wickets and were guilty of not standing up and taking responsibility.

"Six wickets down were too many but I was still confident we would get there.

"Sara and Aimee were young heads who led us home and they were not afraid to play their natural game," Drumm said.

Encouraging as England's recovery may have been, they still had cause to be disappointed with their batting. They didn't bat out their 50 overs, being dismissed for 140 in the 47th.

A fine spell of bowling from Drumm knocked the stuffing out of the England top-order. She had Claire Taylor well caught at gully by Maia Lewis for 10. She then had Arran Thompson trapped leg before wicket for 12 while Laura Newton was bowled for eight.

She took herself off after five overs with three wickets for eight runs.

But any hope of respite was denied them by Haidee Tiffen. She may have struggled for 21 balls later in the game to be dismissed for a duck, but in the field she was outstanding taking three catches and providing the vital impetus for three run outs. It was a classy display which complemented the tighter bowling, especially of the spinners.

Young left-arm spinner Rebecca Steele and right-arm off spinner Mason conceded only 46 runs from their 20 overs while picking up a wicket apiece. Mason did slightly the better statistically with one for 22.

It was a disappointing effort from England. Laura Harper did bowl well to put the pressure on the New Zealanders at a vital stage of the game and she showed great control in taking two for 17 from her 10 overs, and Lucy Pearson's second spell of four overs resulted in two wickets for six runs.

Drumm said New Zealand hadn't quite got the mix right with their bowling and while she regarded herself as half a bowler, she realised when the team for today had been named that she would have to be more than that.

It was important for the young New Zealand bowlers to be exposed to international play and it was a case of having patience with them.

"We have the talent but we have to put it together collectively," she said.

Drumm said she had brought back Nicola Browne deliberately because she had been disappointed with her first spell, and she had responded.

However, the side was bowling too many wides and that was something that would be talked about again tonight and before the side's next match.

New Zealand's fielding effort was also acknowledged and Drumm had been delighted the side held all their catches while their ground fielding was still developing.

However, the effort of Tiffen in setting the standard for the side was setting a benchmark for the younger players, and Drumm said there couldn't be a much higher benchmark.

Steele had also bowled well and while she hadn't been challenged yet, Drumm regarded her as an encouraging prospect.

"She is tall and bowls from a tall trajectory, gets nice flight and puts the ball on the spot," she said.

New Zealand's next game is on Sunday against India and England play Australia, also on Sunday.