Stand-in captain Charlie Dean and debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman, aged 18, guided England to a tense one-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first one-day international at Chester-le-Street, overcoming a generally underwhelming team performance to start the summer with a win.
After bowling out the White Ferns for 210, England’s fielding lapses allowed New Zealand to add crucial runs, and their own chase faltered to 160-7. With 10 runs still needed, last batter Corteen-Coleman walked to the crease. The teenager remained calm, finishing three not out, while Dean, dropped when seven runs were needed, stayed unbeaten on 31 to secure victory in the penultimate over.
Despite the win, England have clear areas to address before the T20 World Cup. Maia Bouchier dropped a straightforward chance from Georgia Plimmer, and multiple misfields helped New Zealand reach their total, with Maddy Green scoring 88 and Amelia Kerr 55.
Dean, leading England for the first time in place of injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, played a composed hand. She scored 31 not out from 46 balls, taking most of the strike alongside Lauren Bell and cleverly rotating the strike. She also bowled seven miserly overs, taking 2-21.
Corteen-Coleman impressed not only with her batting composure but also with her bowling, taking 2-49 on debut. She dismissed opener Plimmer for 20 in her second over and showed no nerves.
The remaining ODIs in the three-match series are on Wednesday and Saturday. After that, the teams switch to T20 format as World Cup preparations intensify.
