England target another home T20I series trophy

England vs New Zealand, 2nd WT20I
County Ground, Hove
4 September, 7pm local

After their T20I series win over India, the hosts have the opportunity to lock up another piece of silverware, following their 46-run victory in Chelmsford on Wednesday.

England looked in neat touch in the opening match, dominating in all three facets in spite of the late injury withdrawal of regular captain Heather Knight. Nat Sciver took the reins and watched opener Tammy Beaumont strike 97 from 65 deliveries to lift the hosts to an unreachable 184/4.

Off the back of her tenth T20I half-century, Beaumont explained the importance of starting the series strong, with players linking up again after domestic duty.

“We spoke about starting the series really well and putting out a good performance.”

“It’s good to be playing this well against a team as good as New Zealand”

Beaumont was supported by numerous teammates in her knock, most notably Amy Jones (31 from 15 balls) and Sophia Dunkley (23* from 17 balls). With seven matches against New Zealand scheduled, a Women’s Ashes in Australia and a Women’s World Cup early next year, the opener explained that the strength in the middle order makes life easier at the top going forward.

“Someone like Amy coming in that middle (of the innings) doing that role is so crucial to us and Sophia Dunkley has had a brilliant season, she’s so dynamic in the middle as well.”

“You can probably take more risks upfront as an opener, myself and Danni Wyatt, knowing that we’ve got so much class coming in throughout.”

On the other side, New Zealand are looking to find the form of March, when they defeated Australia in the second of three T20Is.

Veteran opening pair of Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates will look to improve on their respective single-figure efforts in the first match of the current series, while the bowlers can take inspiration from Hayley Jensen, who was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2/26.

Long-time adversaries in the international game, Beaumont knows the pair, as well as left-hander Amy Satterthwaite, can take the game away from anybody.

“You look at the players they’ve got. Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, a really threatening top three.”

“If one of them comes off in one game, it’s going to be a tough challenge.”