England Women claimed a sensational one-wicket victory in the opening One-Day International of their six-match tour against New Zealand Women at the Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, Durham —a thrilling contest that had both sets of fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball was bowled.

In a disjointed performance by both sides, stand-in captain Charlie Dean led England to a dramatic one-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first of three ODIs. The result, though happy for the hosts, was also liberally sprinkled with caveats — especially another alarming fielding display that will have England’s management wringing their hands before a busy summer.

Kerr-Green stand sends New Zealand crashing

New Zealand then looked set for a competitive total batting first, with Maddy Green and Melie Kerr putting together an impressive 105-run partnership off 138 balls. Green was the leading scorer with a clever 88, and Kerr contributed a gritty 55. The middle and lower order of the White Ferns went down like a pack of cards though. From 147 for 2, New Zealand stumbled to all out with eight deliveries remaining — Georgia Plimmer’s 20 the next highest score (one of only two other batters to get into double figures). With the match built up as one of the most dangerous partnerships playing against a team in terminal decline, 210 was well short of what their dominance promised.

That new ball also provided Tilly Corteen-Coleman an impressive matinee beginning to her international career with the bat, not least due to fine captaincy from Dean. Faced with leading a new-look attack, the left-arm spinner became one of three England firsts. England, who were visiting South Africa for a limited-overs series, included fellow debutantes all-rounder Jodi Grewcock and Dani Gibson — playing her first international outing since returning from injury having overcome a back stress fracture — in their patched-up side.

England’s Batting Wobbles Before Dean Balances the Boat

England’s chase for a modest 211 was anything but simple. The hosts were soon reduced to three wickets for 43 runs in 13 overs. An intervention was required and here it was — with a last-minute call-up of Maia Bouchier to the squad. Bouchier shared a 68-run stand with Freya Kemp, in her first ODI since September 2024, to consolidate the innings.

However, more wickets began to tumble and the target started to slip away again – but up stepped Dean under pressure. Dean arrived at the crease with her side on 149 for 6 and helped see her tailenders through a tense spell including a vital partnership of 35 runs with Lauren Bell. Dean remained not out on 31, steering the chase with composure rarely seen from a No. 8 batter. Earlier, Bouchier had contributed a fluent 59 (69) before she gifted her wicket soon after the drinks break.

The pick of the bowlers from New Zealand ended up being Rosemary Mair with figures of 3 for 42, and Melie Kerr continued her all-round influence taking two important wickets.

Fielding Woes Remain a Concern

Yet England’s fielding, the team having hyped expectations of significant strides in the wake of justified criticism over an injury-riddled 2024 T20 World Cup and a lacklustre performance during last year’s Ashes, was disappointing. New Zealand were let off the hook by missed chances and soft moments in the field, but this is something that will need immediate fixing.

What’s Next

It is proposed that the tour will include three ODIs and three T20 Internationals, where the ODI series would be part of the 2025–2029 ICC Women’s Championship. The second ODI will be played on Wednesday, May 13, at the County Ground in Northampton where New Zealand would be hoping to equalise in the two-match series. The series couldn’t be set up better for a close contest now with both sides showing weak links — England on batting and in the field, New Zealand on their lower order.