Worcestershire Women’s Rapids leg spinner Sarah Glenn played an essential role in England overcoming New Zealand by eight wickets in the opening ODI in Christchurch today.
Glenn picked up the crucial wicket of New Zealand’s top scorer, Hayley Jensen, and also played a part in the dismissal of the home side’s captain, Sophie Devine.
She finished with economical figures of 1-18 from 6.1 overs in England’s first ODI for 437 days because of the impact of COVID-19 on the schedule before Tammy Beaumont, and Heather Knight powered their side to victory.
Glenn came into the attack with New Zealand 88-3 after 21 overs and broke through with the first ball of her second over.
Jensen had made an aggressive 53 off 58 balls with eight boundaries but was undone by Glenn, who rattled the stumps with the total 94-4.
She had already held onto a chance offered by Devine (16) off Natalie Sciver.
Glenn bowled an initial four-over spell and returned to conclude the innings with Brooke Halliday (50 off 54 balls) run out off the first ball of her seventh over to wrap up the innings at 178 off 45.1 overs.
Beaumont (71) and captain Knight (67 not out) ensured England would suffer no alarms reaching their target with a second-wicket stand of 94 and victory was achieved with 16.2 overs to spare.
