Heather Knight stars as England beat New Zealand in ODI opener

England overcame a stuttering batting performance to beat New Zealand by 30 runs in a close first one-day international in Bristol.

The hosts looked on the verge of victory with New Zealand reduced to 177-9, chasing 242 to win.

However, Amy Satterthwaite’s superb, unbeaten 79 took the game deep, and her 34-run stand with Leigh Kasperek for the last wicket kept New Zealand’s hopes alive.

It took a stunning direct hit from Lauren Winfield-Hill to run out Kasperek and dismiss New Zealand for 211 with 21 balls to spare, giving England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Earlier, England captain Heather Knight made a sublime 89 but the hosts twice collapsed after being asked to bat first.

They fell from 109-1 to 140-5 and then subsided from 228-5 to 241 all out, with three balls remaining.

Off-spinner Charlie Dean became the first England player to have been born in the 2000s when she was presented with her cap by former captain Charlotte Edwards before play.

Both sets of bowlers were crucial but this match ultimately came down to two batting performances, with Knight just edging out Satterthwaite.

The second ODI takes place on Sunday.

COURTESY