Cricket: The White Ferns unable to prevent England’s impressive comeback victory.

Wicketkeeper Amy Jones and Charlie Dean came to England’s rescue in the opening ODI against the White Ferns, securing a four-wicket victory at the Basin Reserve.

Despite their dominant performance in the T20I series, England found themselves in a precarious position while chasing New Zealand’s target of 208 runs in the first of three ODIs.

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White Ferns skipper Amelia Kerr made a significant breakthrough by dismissing middle-order batter Danni Wyatt when England was struggling at 79-6 in the 16th over, still needing 129 runs for victory.

New Zealand harbored hopes of dismantling the England tail until the remarkable seventh-wicket partnership between the experienced Jones and Dean, which yielded 134 runs, guided England to victory with 52 balls to spare.

Jones remained unbeaten on 92, while Dean contributed 42 not out in an unbroken stand.

Reflecting on her innings, Jones described her score of 92 off 83 balls, including 10 fours, as one of her best performances.

“I was trying to maintain a positive mindset and back myself whenever the ball was in my hitting zone,” Jones told TVNZ. “I’ve been working on my mental approach to run chases, and I felt like it paid off.”

Amelia Kerr’s debut as New Zealand captain, stepping in for the injured Sophie Devine, ended in defeat.

“There are always defining moments, and it was probably when Deans and Jones stepped onto the field to bat,” Kerr told TVNZ. “It felt like one more wicket, and we would have been right back in the game, ready to target their tail. I thought both Jones and Dean batted exceptionally well; their partnership was exceptional, and unfortunately, we couldn’t find a way to break it.”

Earlier, England won the toss and elected to bowl first.

New Zealand’s opening partnership between Suzie Bates and Bernadine Bezuidenhout provided a promising start. Bates reached her 34th ODI half-century, her fourth against England, before departing for 50.

Bezuidenhout followed suit, scoring 35 off 62 deliveries, before New Zealand’s batting collapse restricted them to 207 runs without utilizing their full allotment of overs.

With England leading the series 1-0, the second match is scheduled to take place in Hamilton on Thursday.