NZ-W vs ENG-W: Amy Jones and Charlie Dean forged a record-breaking 130-run partnership as England bounced back from 79/6 to clinch victory in the 1st ODI match against New Zealand by four wickets. Jones smashed a rapid 92 runs off 83 balls, while Dean contributed with 42 runs off 70 balls. With this win, England Women seized a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
NZ-W vs ENG-W – How The Chase Began?
England’s chase got off to the worst possible start as Tamsin Beaumont was dismissed in the very first over by Jess Kerr. Maia Bouchier and Heather Knight then stabilized the innings with a 37-run partnership for the second wicket.
Kerr struck again on the last ball of the 9th over, claiming Knight as her victim this time. Bouchier also fell in the 12th over, leaving England at 54/3. This wicket triggered a domino effect as the visitors lost the next three wickets in the span of 25 runs. With the score at 79/6, England seemed headed for a certain defeat.
However, wicketkeeper Amy Jones and lower-order batswoman Charlie Dean seized the moment to make history. The duo forged a record-breaking 7th-wicket partnership of 130 runs, steering their team to an improbable victory in the first ODI match.
“I was just trying to keep it as simple as possible and focus on one ball at a time,” Jones told TNT Sports.
“It sounds simple but I knew that if I did that then Deano and I would build a good partnership.
“I tried to be as positive as possible and, when the ball was in my areas, back myself. Then respect the good balls when they bowled in good areas as well.
“I’ve done a bit of work on mindset going into run chases. It’s an area I’ve felt I could do better in so I’m pleased that work has paid off today.”
An incredible partnership of 130 runs 👏
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) April 1, 2024
The highest ever 7th wicket partnership in WODIs 🙌#EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/iRHFATP0f1
New Zealand had only themselves to blame for the loss. They started the match with the 90-run opening stand between Suzie Bates and Bernadine Bezuidenhout. And at one stage, the hosts were 139/2 with over 20 overs still to play.
What Was The Previous Record?
The previous highest 7th wicket partnership record stood at 122 runs, achieved by India’s Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar during a 2022 Women’s World Cup match against arch-rival Pakistan at Mount Maunganui.
