England will host New Zealand Women for the first of the three-match ODI series at Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. Here's everything to watch out for ahead of the game.
ENG-W vs NZ-W: Live score and ball-by-ball commentary
Follow the live score and get ball-by-ball updates for the England Women v New Zealand Women fixture here.
Today's England Women vs New Zealand Women match preview
England Women v New Zealand Women, 1st ODI
Where: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
When: June 26, 2:00 pm local time
In the format, England have won 43 times, while 37 matches have gone in New Zealand’s way, with a tie and a washout yielding no result.
The two sides played each other in an ODI series as recently as April this year. England won the three-match series in New Zealand 2-1. In May, they hosted Pakistan, beating them 3-0 in the T20Is and 2-0 in the ODIs, with a washout in Taunton. New Zealand haven’t played since then and will be eyeing to avenge the defeat.
ENG-W vs NZ-W: Who are the key players?
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Nat Sciver-Brunt capped off the ODIs against Pakistan with a match-winning performance. Her imposing 117-ball 124 not out and 2-11 took England to a 2-0 series win. The all-rounder will look to continue with her form.
Sophie Devine
The New Zealand captain missed the majority of the ODI series in April due to a quad strain. She returned in the third ODI and scored an unbeaten century to hand her team the only win in the series. The performance will give her immense confidence coming into the series.
ENG-W vs NZ-W team news
England Women
Sophia Dunkley has made a comeback owing to some excellent domestic performance. Her last ten ODI innings have seen six single-digit scores. Left-arm seamer Mahika Gaur’s unavailability due to a side strain is a significant blow for England.
New Zealand Women
Batter Lauren Down has returned after the birth of her first child. She last played for New Zealand in the T20 World Cup nearly a year ago.
ENG-W vs NZ-W: Predicted playing 11
England Women
Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones, Charlie Dean, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell
New Zealand Women
Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (c), Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze (wk), Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Fran Jonas, Molly Penfold
Pitch report and ground conditions
The Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street in Durham, England has hosted three women's ODIs, with an average first-innings score of 168. Teams batting first have won two out of three times. The weather looks fine during the match hours.
Team form
England Women: WLWNRW
New Zealand Women: WTLLW
Odds and match prediction
According to Stake, New Zealand Women are favourites to win this match.
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