England vs New Zealand: Dani Gibson takes career-best 3-14 as hosts seal 2-1 T20 series victory

England had threatened to blow out New Zealand in the second T20 when they reduced the visitors’ lead to 11-4.

On that occasion, Sophie Devine and Maddy Green painstakingly weathered the storm before taking the match to England’s bowlers for the fifth wicket of 159, setting the platform for a 14-run victory.

This time in England they were ruthless when they put themselves in a position of strength; The spinners confused the Kiwi batsmen by creating dot-ball pressure due to the lack of scoring opportunities.

New Zealand’s key wicketkeeper was Devine and England’s delight was obvious when he meekly chipped Gibson mid-way through the game to fall for a five-ball duck.

Devine was the fourth wicket to fall as the White Ferns’ middle order melted faster than an ice cream in 27°C temperatures at Hove, falling from 29-1 to 33-6.

New Zealand’s lowest total in T20 internationals (60 against England at Whangarei in February 2015) looked threatened for a time.

Jess Kerr ensured the lowest batting was avoided before she was trapped by Issy Wong, but in reality it was England’s spinners who were the key to what was to come later this summer.

According to CricViz, 47% of the deliveries bowled by his setters were hitting the stumps as his 11.1 overs claimed six wickets for 39 runs.

It was particularly difficult for Linsey Smith to get away at the start as she went 2-15, Dean took 3-13 and Sophie Ecclestone took 1-11.

There will be more stringent testing for this attack, but this was encouraging.