Devine Masterclass Levels the Series: New Zealand Women Stun England in 2nd T20!
Devine Masterclass Levels the Series: New Zealand Women Stun England in 2nd T20!
Sophie Devine's incredible 87 leads New Zealand to a thrilling comeback against England. The T20 series is tied—who will take the trophy?
The T20 series between England and New Zealand has been blown wide open. In a dramatic second match at Canterbury, Sophie Devine delivered a masterclass that reminded everyone why she is one of the best in the business. Her majestic 87 runs anchored a massive 159-run partnership with Maddy Green, lifting the White Ferns from a precarious situation to a competitive total.
England started their chase with confidence as Sophia Dunkley took an early liking to the bowling, but the momentum shifted quickly once she was dismissed. Despite a promising start, the middle order struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Heather Knight and Maia Bouchier found it difficult to rotate the strike, and the pressure eventually led to a costly run-out and a cluster of wickets that stalled the innings.
New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Bree Illing and Nensi Patel, kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Patel’s double-strike in the 16th over effectively sealed the deal for the visitors, removing both Knight and Bouchier in quick succession. With the series now level at 1-1, all eyes turn to the decider at Hove this Monday. It’s anyone’s game now as both teams prepare for a high-stakes final showdown.
