New Zealand beat England by 14 runs in a thrilling second T20 that saw the visitors level the series at 1-1 and set up a Monday decider, but there was one decision that undoubtedly changed the game.
Spinner Linsey Smith was England’s best bowler, taking three wickets in her opening 10 balls and leaving New Zealand flailing at 11-4 after four overs – but was limited to two overs in the powerplay after stand-in captain Charlie Dean decided to give returning seamer Izzy Wong the ball in the sixth over.
Wong conceded 17 runs in her first two overs, allowing outstanding batters Sophie Devine and Maddy Green to start building what eventually became a match-winning 159-run partnership – leading questions to be asked of Dean’s decision to remove her best bowler at such a pivotal moment of the match.
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Highlights from the second T20 in Canterbury between England and New Zealand.
“You can definitely keep her going. She swung it the most out of anyone up in Derby – even more so than the seamers,” former England fast bowler Tash Farrant said on Sky Sports.
“The only reason why she took [Linsey] Smith off is to get some powerplay overs into Izzy Wong. She didn’t allude to that in her interview, but, for me, it was a no-brainer [to keep Smith in].
“I know in T20s most people don’t like to bowl their bowlers three overs in a row – but while Smith is getting that shape to right-handers she is so lethal. She picked up three in her first couple of overs.
“She’s so important for England – I do think they need to look at front-loading Smith.”
Dean: Removing Smith was a toss-up
Smith celebrates after dismissing Melie Kerr
Despite her side’s result, England’s stand-in captain Dean defended her decision to remove Smith from the bowling attack in favour of Wong.
“It’s a big toss up. Obviously I kept [Lauren] Bell on at one end. I felt we really needed one more wicket and we could really be through.
“It’s hard to bowl three straight overs in the powerplay for anyone – even for someone of Linsey’s brilliant quality. I’ll reflect on the changes I made, but overall I’m pretty happy and they played pretty well.
“Losing from such a brilliant position always hurts but credit to Sophie and Maddie and how they batted – it shows that having set batters in the last 10 and towards the death really matters.”
Smith will bowl more overs when it really matters, says Doull
Brooke Halliday was England’s fourth wicket and Smith’s third in 10 deliveries
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull on Sky Sports:
“When you look at situations like these, you have to look at what England are going to do at the World Cup. Is Izzy Wong going to get an opportunity, and if she is, will she bowl that sixth over? Or are you just looking to win the game?
“They have the World Cup first in mind – they’re probably going to look to a seamer to close out the powerplay [in the tournament].
“Those are the little opportunities you get in build-up games to test that particular player.
“If it’s a World Cup semi-final, she probably bowls the third.”
England vs New Zealand results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports
Watch the Women’s T20 World Cup live in full on Sky Sports from June 12-July 5. Hosts England kick off the tournament on opening night with a game versus Sri Lanka at Edgbaston (6.30pm start).
