Toss England win toss, bowl vs New Zealand

New Zealand have opted to bat first in the second women’s T20I, looking to make better use of pristine conditions in Canterbury to square the three-match series.

Upon calling correctly at the toss, White Ferns skipper Melie Kerr urged her batters to cut down on the dot balls that blighted their innings in the first T20I. That resulted in an under-par 136 for 7 which England chased down with seven wickets to spare to take a 1-0 lead.

The visitors make two changes, with experienced seamer Lea Tahuhu replacing Rosemary Mair for her first appearance of the tour. Off spinner Nensi Patel comes in for Suzie Bates, who did not bat and bowled just a single over at Derby.

England, meanwhile, will continue to open with Alice Capsey whose decisive 74 not out – a career-best score in the format – took them home with ease. Capsey was opening the batting in the absence of Danni Wyatt-Hodge, on leave for the birth.

The 21-year-old’s seamless shift up from her usual No.3 position highlighted the host’s options ahead of the World Cup. They will again be led by Charlie Dean, standing in for the injured Nat Sciver-Brunt. England will explore the depths of their reserves further with one solitary change, with quick bowler Izzy Wong replacing Sophie Ecclestone, a precautionary move after the left-arm spinner reported a tight hamstring.

England: 1 Sophia Dunkley, 2 Alice Capsey, 3 Maia Bouchier, 4 Heather Knight, 5 Freya Kemp, 6 Dani Gibson, 7 Amy Jones (wk), 8 Charlie Dean (capt), 9 Izzy Wong, 10 Linsey Smith, 11 Lauren Bell

New Zealand: 1 Georgia Plimmer, 2 Izzy Gaze (wk), 3 Melie Kerr (capt), 4 Sophie Devine, 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Izzy Sharp, 8 Jess Kerr, 9 Nensi Patel, 10 Lea Tahuhu, 11 Bree Illing