A team of locally-based players has been laid on to provide opposition, but England coach Trevor Bayliss will bolster their ranks with the four squad members he does not select in his own XI.
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Captain Kane Williamson struck 63 from 39 balls but New Zealand’s total of 169-8 was not enough to hold on against England.
England’s initial struggles with line and length allowed Suzie Bates (38) and Sophie Devine (40) to put on 75 runs for the second wicket.
New Zealand will have discovered the identity of their fourth and final pool opponent early today when favourites Bangladesh took on Oman.
Openers Alex Hales (44) and Jason Roy (55) wanted to finish things off in a hurry, but the New Zealand spinners also got into the act.
Incoming batsman Joe Root (12) too fell in the space of four overs to hand New Zealand a slight advantage.
English spinners Moeen Ali (1 for 30) and Adil Rashid (3 for 15) not only contained the flow of runs but also took regular wickets.
Reece Topley, Ben Stokes and Chris Jordan all went for more than nine-an-over from the 11 overs they bowled between them, which will be a slight concern going into the competition for real.
“It was pretty important for us, we look to win every game whether it’s a warm-up or not”. It does get very feisty, and you might fall out for the night. “There are a few areas that we need improvement ahead of India game”.
A day after losing their first warm-up match by four wickets at Chennai, the White Ferns collapsed late in their run chase to be beaten by 20 runs at the same MA Chidambaram Stadium venue on Saturday.
Lea Tahuhu got the New Zealanders off to the flawless start in removing opener Amy Jones without scoring but wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor’s 51 off 52 balls provided the anchor England needed.
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Flintoff, who played 79 Tests, 141 ODIs and 7 T20Is for England, feels the Eoin Morgan-led side is not under pressure as the spotlight is not on them at this year’s global tournament. I think India are the favorites along with Australia but I think that will work in our advantage. “But I am happy with our performance”, Santner concluded.
