Sophie Devine masterclass help New Zealand level T20I series

Sophie Devine smashed a 57-ball 87 - with five fours and six sixes - to rescue New Zealand from a precarious position and then put them on course to a series-levelling victory over England in Canterbury. Devine added a 159-run stand with Maddy Green, who finished unbeaten on 56.

Soon after Amelia Kerr opted to bat, her top-order made her nearly regret her decision as the visitors were down to 5/3 in the second over as Laurel Bell and Linsey Smith wreaked havoc. Brooke Halliday became Smith's third wicket of the Powerplay, pushing New Zealand further down the abyss at 11/4.

From this point on, however, came the resurrection through Devine and Green. They first dragged the team to 29/4 in six overs and then consolidated through the middle. When Devine hit Charlie Dean for two sixes in the same over in the 10th over, New Zealand increased their lead to 67/4 at the halfway point.

The boundaries kept coming through the middle overs, setting the team up for a late flourish from 110/3 in 15 overs. After Devine and Green reached their half-centuries in the 16th and 17th overs, the former laid into Freya Kemp and hit her for two sixes in the 18th over. The pair scored 60 runs on the final 30 balls, which ultimately proved to be the difference.

England began the chase with intent, flying to 27/0 in 3 overs. But off-spinner Nensi Patel broke through in the fourth over, taking out Sophia Dunkley. A couple of strong partnerships followed - first between Bouchier and Alice Capsey (45 off 37) and then between Bouchier and Heather Knight (45 off 33), but once the latter was broken, England fell away. As the asking rate climbed, they crumbled - falling from 119/2 in the 16th over to a tame 148/6 at the end of the case.

New Zealand were buoyed by a collective bowling effort - led ably by Nensi, who returned figures of 2-25.