First-time captain Charlie Dean led the way with bat and ball to secure a nail-biting opening win of the summer for England Women at their first attempt at Banks Homes Riverside.
With debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman for company at the other end, Dean’s 31 not out masterminded a one-wicket win with just 10 balls remaining in the first Metro Bank ODI against New Zealand.
Fans were on the edge of their seats when No.11 Corteen-Coleman walked out to the middle at the Banks Homes Riverside with 10 runs still needed to overhaul New Zealand’s 210 all out.
They needn’t have worried as Corteen-Coleman showed maturity beyond her 18 years to score a match-winning three not out from six balls before skipper Dean hit the winning runs off Bree Illing to get the team up and running.
The duo had also each taken a pair of wickets with the ball earlier in the game in what was a particularly good day for England’s bowlers who dismissed all 10 New Zealand batters in the field and made telling contributions with the bat.
Lauren Bell grabbed two wickets of her own and then shared a crucial partnership of 35 with Dean, while the second of three debutants, all rounder Dani Gibson picked up her first ODI wicket and then hit a run-a-ball 19 to inject impetus into England’s chase.
All the while number four Maia Bouchier continued her fine form this season for Hampshire with a classy 59 from 69 balls to anchor much of the innings, adding 68 with Freya Kemp to lay the foundation for an exciting win.
Jodi Grewcock was the third player to have an ODI debut to remember, using her legspin to great effect to claim 1-26 and send her teammates on to Northampton with a chance of securing the series on Wednesday.