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Playing all three spinners together at every opportunity was high on England’s wish list heading into the second half of their home summer and, kicking off the first of two white-ball series with New Zealand, it worked a charm. Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn claimed seven wickets between them – Dean the standout with her 4 for 38 – as New Zealand were bowled out for just 156 in the first of three ODIs in Durham on Wednesday. After lacking a ruthless streak during their defeat of Pakistan in both white-ball formats when they visited England last month, addressing that would have been right up there as an objective for the hosts too, and Maia Bouchier and Tammy Beaumont answered the call with a brutal opening partnership of 137 off 106 balls which guided them to a nine-wicket victory with 28.

4 overs to spare. After Brooke Halliday had offered the only true fight from New Zealand with a defiant half-century, Bouchier smashed 67 off 50 balls and Beaumont an unbeaten 76 off 69. They got England to within 20 runs of victory before Halliday claimed the only home wicket to fall, Bouchier spooning Halliday’s eighth delivery straight to Suzie Bates, who took a low catch diving forwards at cover, before Beaumont and Heather Knight took their side over the line.



New Zealand’s bowling was even more lacklustre and England’s openers capitalised with sublime placement and relentless power. Both struck boundary after boundary through most areas and each hit a six .

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