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In the 2nd T20I of the England Women’s tour of New Zealand 2024, held at Saxton Oval, the clash between New Zealand Women and England Women showcased thrilling cricketing action. The visitors, who won the first game, again had upper hand on the match and registered a stunning win to take 2-0 lead in the 5-match series.
Heather Knight shines with the bat
New Zealand Women, led by Suzie Bates, elected to bowl after winning the toss, hoping to contain England’s batting prowess. England Women started their innings on a steady note, posting a total of 149/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Captain Heather Knight starred with the bat, delivering a commanding performance with 56 runs off 40 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes. Contributions from Tammy Beaumont (19 runs) and Danielle Gibson (14 runs) bolstered England’s total.
However, some disciplined bowling from New Zealand Women, notably by Sophie Devine (2 wickets for 30 runs) and Rosemary Mair (2 wickets for 25 runs), restricted England from amassing a more daunting total.
Also READ: Veteran Pakistan Women cricketer Javeria Khan bids farewell from international cricket
New Zealand fall short after English
In response, New Zealand Women fought hard but fell short, managing to reach 134/8 in their 20 overs. Amelia Kerr showcased her batting prowess with a resilient knock of 44 runs off 36 deliveries. However, the collective effort from England’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Lauren Bell (2 wickets for 24 runs) and Charlotte Dean (2 wickets for 28 runs), ensured that New Zealand Women couldn’t chase down the target.
Ultimately, England Women emerged victorious by 15 runs, securing a crucial win in the series. Knight’s exceptional batting performance earned her the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Another victorious afternoon in New Zealand! 🇳🇿
Heather Knight smashing it again with another POTM award 🙌#EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/D2TtyuaAlq
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 22, 2024
Good signs for England ahead of this year's #T20WorldCup 🙌
An unbeaten half-century from Heather Knight and solid all-round display with the ball helped England open up a 2-0 lead in their five-match T20I series against New Zealand 💥
Scorecard: https://t.co/LXEXOPzwCo pic.twitter.com/bKuHLM3nT1
— ICC (@ICC) March 22, 2024
Player of the match: Heather Knight 🏏#women #cricket #HeatherKnight #NZvsENG #englandcricket #womencricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/4ZN79gT45q
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) March 22, 2024
Heather Knight today becomes just the 2nd English woman after @Sarah_Taylor30 to pass 50 in 3 successive T20Is
Fantastic knock of 56* from @Heatherknight55 in a match where no other England batter crossed 20 as they beat New Zealand by 15 runs & go up 2-0#NZvENG
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) March 22, 2024
English captains to score multiple half centuries in a bilateral women's T20I series :-
2 – Charlotte Edwards v SA in 2014
2* – Heather Knight v NZ in this series#NZvENG— Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@rhitankar8616) March 22, 2024
Most Innings Batted by Captain in Winning Cause in WT20Is
69 – Meg Lanning 🇦🇺
67 – Charlotte Edwards 🏴
54 – Harmanpreet Kaur 🇮🇳
𝟱𝟬* – Heather Knight 🏴
37 – Suzie Bates 🇳🇿– Heather Knight completed 50 Innings as Captain in Won WT20I Matches.#NZvENG #NZWvENGW
— Kishan Kishor (@itskishankishor) March 22, 2024
Very good win for England from being 77 for 6. Heather Knight is in some form.#NZvENG
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 22, 2024
Heather Knight rescued the batting effort today. A good bowling effort overall, helped by the lack of depth in the New Zealand batting lineup. #NZvENG
— Dinesh (@Sanassee) March 22, 2024
4th Fifty in a row from Heather Knight.
2 wickets for Sophie Devine.— Saul Goodman (@YashKum93086613) March 22, 2024
Heather Knight.
Superlatives coming your way!
🏏 🏏🏏🏏🏏🏏🏏#NZvENG— Moira Mac 🇿🇼🇿🇦🏴🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏏🏉 (@neBhasikoro) March 22, 2024
ENGLAND WOMEN BATTERS to SCORE
3 x 50s in a ROW IN T20INTS
Sarah Taylor in 2016
Heather Knight in 2023-24#NZWvENGW— Richard V Isaacs (@RVICricketStats) March 22, 2024
Heather knight is a different beast when in form…. excellent batting #NZvENG
— IM RAHUL (@inswinger07) March 22, 2024