Christchurch, Feb 23 (UNI) Riding on half-centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight, England Women thrashed New Zealand by 8 wickets in the first ODI, to take 1-0 series lead in the three-match series, here on Tuesday.

Beaumont and Knight scored 71 and 67* respectively and helped England chase down a target of 179 in just 33.4 overs, after New Zealand, riding on fifties from Hayley Jensen and Brooke Halliday, posted 178.

After opting to bat, New Zealand didn't have a great start. Katherine Brunt and Tash Farrant dismissed top order batters Natalie Dodd and Amy Satterthwaite for single-digit scores and New Zealand were two down in the 10th over with just 34 on board.

Thereafter, Jensen sealed up one end and rebuilded the innings, putting on mini partnerships of 39 and 21 with Sophie Devine (16) and Amelia Kerr (13) respectively. She was dismissed shortly after bringing up her half-century – her 15th in ODIs – when Sarah Glenn cleaned her up, and when Kerr followed suit three overs later, New Zealand were 104/5.

Halliday, on debut, added some respectability to the total, with a confident 54-ball 50. In her innings, she farmed the strike and guided the tail. Her knock helped New Zealand post a competitive target, and she was the last batter to fall, unfortunately being run out attempting to accelerate the total.

In the chase, Beaumont and Danni Wyatt put on a quick 42 for the opening wicket before Jensen provided the breakthrough by seeing off Wyatt. However, New Zealand couldn’t build on that opening.

Knight joined Beaumont, and the duo put on a 94-run partnership to take New Zealand to the brink of victory. Beaumont, having scored an 86-ball 71, was then dismissed by Lea Tahuhu, but the damage had already been done.

Knight brought up her own half-century, and put on an unbroken 45-run stand with Nat Sciver (21*) to help complete an easy victory.

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