England A women edge past New Zealand A women in a high-scoring thriller to take 1-0 lead in the ongoing 3-match series. England A kicked off the series on a commanding note, with a narrow 6-run win over New Zealand A Women in the opening encounter of the tour.
Skipper Grace Scrivens led from the front with a composed and mature knock of 84, anchoring the hosts through crucial early phases. England A rode on two vital middle-order partnerships, a 71-run stand between Scrivens and Jodi Grewcock, followed by an 85-run blitz between Grewcock and Freya Kemp.
England A’s dominance came from two key partnerships, the 91-run stand between Scrivens and Davina Perrin with the 71-run blitz by Scrivens and Grewcock which propelled them past the 200-run mark.
Freya Kemp and Grewcock stitched an 85-run stand, with Grewcock fluent in her strokeplay, scoring 67 off 63 deliveries, while Freya Kemp added firepower with a blazing unbeaten 57 off just 40 deliveries. Kemp continued her aggressive knock and Pavely came in with a quickfire cameo (29* off 15), sharing a brisk 44-run stand to propel the total to a commanding 297.
For New Zealand A, Bree Illing was the only standout with the ball, claiming 2/51, while Flora Devonshire (1/30) and Jess Watkin (1/50) were also amongst wickets.
Captain Bella James of New Zealand A, rose to the occasion with a gritty 80, stitching key partnerships with Izzy Sharp (25) and Isabella Gaze (81) to keep the chase alive.
Chasing the target of 298, New Zealand’s top-order flattered early in the chase. Georgia Plimmer (14), Emma McLeod (17), and Jess Watkin (0) fell cheaply, leaving the visitors under pressure. But captain Bella James rose to the occasion with a gritty 80 off 86, stabilizing the innings. At 93/4, captain James (80 off 86) rebuilt the chase alongside Sharp (25 off 31), forging a crucial 47-run partnership that revived the innings from early trouble.
After Sharp’s dismissal, James and Gaze added a gritty 97-run stand, sustaining the push and keeping hopes alive deep into the chase. Wicketkeeper-batter Isabella Gaze launched a brilliant counterattack, hammering 81 off just 59 balls, keeping the runs flow alive.
Hannah Rowe and Emma Black (32* off 29) then combined for 52 crucial runs, keeping New Zealand’s hopes alive. The cameos from Hannah Rowe (30 off 29) and Emma Black (32* off 29) brought them very close to the target, but they eventually fell short, being restricted to 291/9, following just 6 short of the required. Despite a valiant late surge from the lower order, New Zealand A gave England A a narrow win and a 1-0 lead in the series.
England A’s bowlers held their nerves under pressure. Phoebe Turner was the pick of the bowlers with a fine 3/67, while Grace Thompson (2/34) and Jodi Grewcock (2/42) also struck wickets, making key breakthroughs at crucial junctures.
