Twitter Reactions: England defeats New Zealand comprehensively in their first Twenty20 international

England began the five-match Twenty20 International series with a strong performance, defeating the White Ferns by 59 runs on Saturday, July 6, following their convincing 3-0 victory over New Zealand in the ODIs.

At Southampton’s The Rose Bowl, Sophie Devine chose to field first after winning the toss. Maia Bouchier and Danielle Wyatt, the opening pair for England, produced some amazing smashes and put up a 61-run partnership off of 46 balls. Nat Sciver-Brunt came out to bat in the middle and produced a brilliant innings, collecting 47 runs off just 23 balls, after the former was bowled for a 26-ball 32. She sparkled during her knock, hitting nine fours. Wyatt and Sciver-Brunt combined for an 82-run combination off 45 balls. Wyatt scored 76 off 51 balls, hitting 11 fours and one six.

The home team concluded their 20 overs at 197/3 thanks to a fine cameo from Freya Kemp, who scored 27* off 17 balls. Lea Tahuhu, who finished with statistics of 2/33 in four overs, was the White Ferns’ best bowler.

Web-spinning Sarah Glenn explores New Zealand

Georgia Plimmer was dismissed by New Zealand in the second over, but Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr put on a 51-run partnership off of just 40 balls. Despite being 63/1 after 8.3 overs, leg-spinner Sarah Glenn took three of the five wickets as the tourists amazingly collapsed to 67/6.

Following the astounding collapse, Jess Kerr swung the bat around, scoring 38 off 26 balls to join Brooke Halliday in a 43-run partnership. While New Zealand managed to avoid being bowled out, Lea Tahuhu also hit a couple of boundaries. They eventually conceded 59 runs, finishing at 138/9 in their 20 overs. Because of her incredible leap to the top, Wyatt was named Player of the Match. The second Twenty20 International will now take place on Tuesday, July 9 in Hove.

Here’s how X reacted to 1st T20I between ENG-W and NZ-W:

England post a towering 197/3 (20.0), their 2nd highest T20I total on home soil.

Wyatt 76 (51)
Sciver-Brunt 47 (23)

Tahuhu 2-33
Carson 1-26

NZ’s record chase is 173.#ENGvNZ https://t.co/S8PQnx1Bep

— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) July 6, 2024

A mighty total!

England’s second-highest in women’s T20Is at home
| #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/myM7KykbEX

— Professor! (@ProfessorTanve1) July 6, 2024

Most 50-plus scores for England women:

DANNI WYATT- 17**
Sarah Taylor- 16
NSB- 13#ENGvNZ

— Krithika (@krithika0808) July 6, 2024

Well done to the England Women cricket team on beating NZ women by 59 runs in today’s T20 match.#T20 #ENGvNZ

— Martin G (@Nowacivvy) July 6, 2024

New Zealand 138/9 (20.0) come up well short.

Bates 43 (33)
J Kerr 38 (26)

Glenn 3-16
Dean 2-28

England win by 59 runs, their biggest victory in the format against NZ.#ENGvNZ https://t.co/S8PQnx1Bep

— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) July 6, 2024

England Women are whaling the tar out of New Zealand’s bowlers, Wyatt and Sciver-Brunt playing some glorious shots #TheCricket

— Chief White Halfoat (@ThickleyP) July 6, 2024

England maintain their dominance over New Zealand with a 4th consecutive win. Danni Wyatt stars with the bat as the hosts go 1-0 up in the T20s in Southampton. The build up to the World Cup in Bangladesh continues… #ENGvNZ

— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) July 6, 2024

off just deliveries for @danni_wyatt

She now has the most 50+ scores of any England women in IT20 cricket #BewareTheVipers pic.twitter.com/gWoy1whc49

— Southern Vipers (@southernvipers_) July 6, 2024

England take the T20 series to 1-0. Suzie Bates (43) & Jess Kerr (38) best with the bat. The team moves to Hove ahead of the 2nd T20I on Tuesday. Scorecard | https://t.co/EnF4ngKpZe #ENGvNZ #CricketNation = @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/iAE2RSqZtF

— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) July 6, 2024