New Zealand's Sophie Devine aiming to end career on high as England finalise T20 World Cup preparations
A 2-1 win over New Zealand was a major World Cup boost for England as the hosts head into their final dress rehearsals for the tournament with a three-match series against India, starting tonight in Chelmsford.
With England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt ruled out for the series’ against New Zealand and India, stand-in captain Charlie Dean led the women’s side from the front and guided them to a comfortable series triumph over the Black Caps.
Taking up the vacant opener’s role in the series opener, Alice Capsey smashed a brilliant 74 to set up a seven-wicket win in the Derby opener last week on Wednesday.
Two days later, world champions New Zealand bounced back with a 14-run win in Canterbury, veteran Sophie Devine hitting 87 off 57 ball, tormenting the England bowlers with six sixes and five fours to post a match-winning total of 170 in 20 overs.
The New Zealand stalwart will call time on her illustrious international career after the women’s World Cup in England. Averaging 44 against England, the 36-year-old amassed 134 runs to emerge as the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded series.
“I'm just really happy and feel really grateful,” said Devine. “Not many athletes get the opportunity to decide when they walk away from the game, and for me to be here and just soak it all up.
“I'm one of the most competitive people going around, but it is a chance for me to just enjoy it for what it is, the small moments, you know, out in the middle, walking out and wanting to help the Kiwis win.
"It's these small moments, on the sidelines and the dressing room and stuff that I'll certainly try and hold on to.”.
Top scorer Devine was followed by Capsey, who accumulated 99 runs against New Zealand in the three-match series.
In the decisive third T20I, Dani Gibson stepped up as an all-rounder and teamed up effectively with player of the series Linsey Smith, as the pair dismantled New Zealand to bundle them out for just 80 at Hove.
“There's such competition for places now that whatever kind of opportunity you get, you have to make the most of it,” said Capsey.
England will face India in three T20Is at Chelmsford, Bristol and Taunton within a hectic six-day period, before opening their T20 World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka on June 12.