England vs New Zealand: Sophie Devine’s 87 sets up series-levelling win

England suffered a disappointing 14-run defeat as Sophie Devine’s brilliance leveled the T20 series for New Zealand in Canterbury.

England’s bowlers got off to a superb start in scorching conditions, restricting New Zealand to 11-4, but Sophie Devine and Maddy Green put on a record-breaking 159 for the fifth wicket to take the White Ferns to 170-5.

All-rounder Devine blasted 87 off 57 balls before getting run out off the last ball of the innings, with Green failing to finish 56 in support.

Devine hit six sixes and five fours as England’s bowlers and fielders struggled under pressure in all-too-familiar scenes.

Linsey Smith dominated the powerplay to take 3-25, leaving Georgia Plimmer and skipper Melie Kerr in the first innings for first-ball ducks, but the surprising recovery gave New Zealand the momentum in the second innings.

Although England started the chase positively, Sophia Dunkley was the first to miss her start, falling for 26 from 18 balls.

After Alice Capsey was out for 22, Heather Knight and Maia Bouchier added 43 for the third wicket but their cautious approach saw the run tally and New Zealand were close to victory when the duo fell on consecutive balls in the 16th over.

Explosive all-rounders Dani Gibson and Freya Kemp were tasked with scoring 30 in the final two overs but were dismissed for 12 and 14 respectively as England finished 156-6.

The series decider will be held in Hove on Monday, where even warmer conditions are expected.