England v New Zealand: Charlie Dean drags hosts to victory in one-wicket win

Stand-in captain Charlie Dean and 18-year-old debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman salvaged a tense one-wicket victory from an underwhelming overall performance to ensure England’s summer started with a win in the first one-day international match against New Zealand.

England, who open the T20 World Cup at Edgbaston in a month’s time, leaked runs in the field despite beating the White Ferns for 210 and then slumped to 160-7. Chester-le-Street.

And while seamstress Lauren Bell scored a crucial 35 off Dean, 10 were still needed when last batsman Corteen-Coleman came out.

But the youngster looked as nerveless as he did when taking 2-49.

Having failed to finish three not out, Dean fell critically with seven runs required and remained unbeaten on 31 as England won in the penultimate over.

But although England were able to celebrate the victory, there is still plenty of room for improvement ahead of the World Cup.

A number of misfields helped New Zealand score as Maia Bouchier turned away a clear chance from Georgia Plimmer; Maddy Green hit 88 and Amelia Kerr hit 55 and field problems returned.

The remaining ODIs in the three-match series are on Wednesday and Saturday.

Then, preparations for the World Cup accelerate as the teams switch to the T20 format.