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England have beaten the White Ferns by seven wickets in their first ICC World Twenty20 warm up match at Kings College, Taunton.
The White Ferns started positively after being asked to bat with openers Lucy Doolan hitting 20 off 25 and Aimee Watkins 38 off 39.
However, they weren’t able to capitalise on their solid start crumbling from 80 for two to be 122 for eight at the end of the innings.
England captain Charlotte Edwards was impressive taking two for 15 with Jenny Gunn picking up two for 13.
The English went about the chase aggressively with openers Sarah Taylor and Edwards sharing a 73 run partnership for the first wicket.
Taylor smashed 44 off 36 with Edwards guiding her team home with an unbeaten 55 off 44.
The winning runs were scored with seven balls to spare.
Spin bowler Saskia Bullen opened the bowling for the White Ferns and was the most economical of the attack going for only 14 runs with Suzie Bates returning the best figures of two for 17.
Coach Gary Stead said, “It was a good chance to get out and play in England conditions and it was pleasing to see Aimee Watkins striking the ball so well at the top of the innings.
“We put ourselves under pressure at times and need to keep working hard to push home the advantage when we get into a good position.
“We are looking forward to the match against India tomorrow which will be another step in our preparation”
Tomorrow [9 June, UK time] the White Ferns play India at Taunton Vale in the last of their warm up matches ahead of their first match against Australia on Friday [12 June, UK time].
