English 
Poor England Beaten as New Zealand Level T20 Series at Canterbury
Published: 24 May 2026 | Source: ECB, New Zealand Cricket
CANTERBURY — Poor England beaten as New Zealand level T20 series in a 14-run defeat at Canterbury. Sophie Devine rescued the White Ferns from 11-4, blasting 87 from 57 balls. New Zealand finished at 170-5. England’s chase of 171 fell short at 156-6, despite 38 from Maia Bouchier. New Zealand forced a series decider at Hove on Monday. It was England’s first defeat of the series, coming despite Linsey Smith’s dominant power play. Smith took 3-25 to reduce New Zealand to 29-4.
Devine’s Innings Rewrites the Match
New Zealand was in disarray after the six-over power play. Linsey Smith removed opener Georgia Plimmer and captain Melie Kerr for first-ball ducks. Lauren Bell bowled Izzy Gaze in the first over. Brooke Halliday holed out to long-off for three. At 29-4, England controlled every aspect of the contest.
Then Devine took over. She hit Charlie Dean for back-to-back sixes in the seventh over. Dean was removed from the attack after a single over that conceded 14 runs. Devine struck six sixes and five fours in her 57-ball innings. She shuffled around the crease and repeatedly threw England’s seamers off their length.
Her partnership with Maddy Green, who finished 56 not out, produced 159 runs for the fifth wicket, the highest partnership against England in T20 internationals for any wicket, and New Zealand’s third-highest stand of all time New Zealand Cricket match report, 24 May 2026.
Devine was run out from the final ball of the innings attempting a second run, departing with New Zealand at 170-5. Her innings had transformed an apparent collapse into a competitive total.
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England’s Chase Falls Short
England began their chase positively. Sophia Dunkley struck 26 from 18 balls before holing out to mid-off in the fourth over. Alice Capsey, who had batted fluently in the series opener at Derby, made 22 from 19 but struggled for timing as New Zealand’s bowlers applied pressure through the middle overs.
Heather Knight and Maia Bouchier added 43 for the third wicket, but the partnership was built on accumulation rather than acceleration. The required run-rate climbed steadily as boundaries dried up.
The 16th over proved decisive. Bouchier was slow to complete a first run as Knight sprinted back for a second. Devine’s throw from the deep caught Knight short of the crease at the non-striker’s end. Bouchier, attempting to take responsibility for the next delivery, was caught at long-on. Two wickets in two balls left England requiring 30 from the final two overs.
Dani Gibson and Freya Kemp, the all-rounders tasked with the late acceleration, were dismissed for 12 and 14 respectively as England finished on 156-6.
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What the Defeat Means
The defeat levels the three-match series at 1-1 ahead of Monday’s decider at Hove. England entered the match as heavy favourites after an impressive victory in the first T20 at Derby.
The result serves as a warning ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup, where England will face defending champions New Zealand on home soil. Devine, who will retire after the tournament, demonstrated the individual match-winning capability that England’s collective system for all its depth could not counter.
Bouchier dropped Devine at long-off in the final over of New Zealand’s innings, an error that allowed nine further runs. England’s fielding, usually a strength, produced multiple fumbles under pressure in scorching conditions.
FAQ: England vs New Zealand T20 Series 2026
What was the result of the second T20?
New Zealand won by 14 runs at Canterbury. England, chasing 171, were bowled out for 156-6. The series is level at 1-1.
How many runs did Sophie Devine score?
Devine scored 87 from 57 balls, including six sixes and five fours. She was run out on the final ball of the innings. What was the record partnership?
Devine and Maddy Green added 159 for the fifth wicket, the highest partnership against England in T20s for any wicket, and New Zealand’s third-highest of all time.
When is the series decider?
The third and final T20 takes place at Hove on Monday, with even hotter conditions expected.
What happened to Heather Knight?
Knight was run out for 25 in the 16th over after being sent back by Maia Bouchier. Bouchier was caught at long-on from the next delivery.
Written by the Cricket Desk, drawing on official match data from the England and Wales Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket. The desk has covered England women’s cricket across all formats for over a decade.