Recent Match Report – NZ Women vs ENG Women 4th T20I 2023/24

England 177 for 3 (Bouchier 91) beat New Zealand 130 for 7 (Dean 4-26) by 47 runs

Bouchier, who had been promoted to open as England reshuffled their side with WPL players now available, followed her maiden half-century from the third game with a destructive display which powered the visitors to 177 for 3.

Bouchier notches up her career best

England did not race away in the powerplay and sat on 35 for 1 after six overs. However, Bouchier had already been given a reprieve when she was missed on 5 in the opening over as keeper Izzy Gaze and Devine at slip left an outside edge to each other.

Bouchier was 20 off 18 balls after the powerplay – which included a magnificent straight six off Hannah Rowe – then started to move through the gears to reach fifty from 33 balls. By then, she had been given another life on 44 when Jess Kerr missed a return catch.

England’s strong finish

There was a series of strong partnerships for England. Bouchier and Alice Capsey, one of the four players who had been at the WPL back in the side, added 75 in 61 balls although Capsey couldn’t quite hit her stride with 25 off 32 balls.

Other than the 14th over delivered by Suzie Bates, England found at least one boundary in every over after the powerplay.

New Zealand don’t challenge record chase

It was always going to be a tall order for the home side to chase down 178, doubly so with Devine having picked up an injury. Their hopes took another major blow when Bates fell to Lauren Bell in the opening over.

Sophie Ecclestone was typically miserly on her return to international duty although blotted her copybook when she shelled a regulation catch at long off. Dean picked up two further wickets in her last over to finish with four.

The potential seriousness of Devine’s injury was clear when she did not appear in the middle order.