New Zealand’s White Ferns have opened their ODI Series in stunning style, sweeping aside a scratchy England at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval by 67 runs.
Video scorecard
England captain Charlotte Edwards chose to bowl first on a grassy wicket in breezy, fine conditions, but was given cause to regret her decision when opposing skipper Suzie Bates stood at the crease with a sixth ODI century to her name, off just 108 balls — and a new record opening stand against England of 157.
Photos by Photosport.co.nz/Margot Butcher
Rachel Priest supported Bates (106) with a calm half-century in her 50th match for the Ferns, while Bates cashed in on their strong start by boldly taking an early second batting power play in the 24th over.
Said Bates, “We’d discussed it in the past — Hamish (Barton, coach) thinks it’s best to take it when two batters are in, rather than leaving it till the 35th over, when perhaps you’ve lost wickets. I think it helped my innings today to get some momentum after a few dot balls.”
Listen to the full postmatch interview with Suzie Bates
The solid opening partnership put the Ferns firmly on course for a defendable total, despite Bates’s dismissal in the 36th over triggering a flurry of late wickets that saw the Ferns stutter from 178/3 to 240/8 at the completion of the 50 overs.
“We were going to bowl as well, so it was one of those tosses that you were glad to lose because it perhaps didn’t play how it looks,” said Bates. “It wasn’t the easiest wicket, and I never felt that ‘in’ today, but we just managed to build a partnership and we looked up and all of a sudden it was a 70, 80, a hundred… For it to be Rachel Priest’s 50th game as well is pretty special.”
Right-arm medium pacer Heather Knight caused the most difficulty for the Ferns, taking her career best figures of 4-47 as she claimed prize scalps in Priest, Amy Satterthwaite, Sophie Devine and Sara McGlashan. But England’s fielding was rusty — shelling two catches, including one from Bates who was given a life on 48 when Lydia Greenway spilled a tough chance at short midwicket, off Danielle Hazell.
By contrast, the White Ferns put on a polished display and quickly piled on the pressure when it was their turn with the ball. Bates at square leg took a spectacular one-handed grab to dismiss Natalie Sciver, after initially fielding the ball with her leg and kicking it up.
Heather Knight was one of three run-outs in the England chase
Regular wickets and some horror mix-ups running between the wickets — including Sarah Taylor running out her captain when she called for a single that was never on — meant England struggled to get a partnership going, the best being a late 47-run stand for the 9th wicket between Danielle Hazell, who top-scored for England with just 29, and Anya Shrubsole.
Their defeat was signed off when player of the day Bates took the final wicket of Shrubsole, England all out for 173 in 45.2 overs.
The second ODI takes place at the same venue on Friday, admission is free. 
