Cricket

England's Alice Capsey and Maia Bouchier propelled their team to a formidable total of 89 for 6 in a rain-shortened second T20I against New Zealand in Hove. Capsey's blistering 28 off 15 deliveries and Bouchier's composed 23 off 15 set the stage for England's victory.Despite the persistent rain delaying the start by two hours and reducing the match to nine overs per side, England's batters showcased their adaptability. Capsey and Bouchier found the boundary with ease, while Heather Knight contributed a quickfire 15 and Sophie Ecclestone ended the innings with a towering six.New Zealand's chase faltered under the pressure of Charlie Dean's exceptional bowling. Dean ripped through the Kiwi batting lineup, claiming two wickets in a single over for just three runs. Her victims included the dangerous Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday, leaving New Zealand reeling at 28 for 3.Sarah Glenn's diving catch to dismiss Bates further dented New Zealand's hopes. Jess Kerr's dismissal off Ecclestone's bowling sealed the victory for England, who took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.The match was ultimately decided by the DLS method due to the persistent rain, with England emerging victorious by 23 runs. Dean's impressive figures of 2 for 3 in 1.4 overs proved decisive in securing the win.

Maia Bouchier's maiden international century was a testament to her newfound confidence and maturity as a batter. The 25-year-old had twice reached the 90s before, but had never managed to convert it into a three-figure score.In the second ODI against New Zealand at Worcester, Bouchier was determined to break that barrier. She had already played a key role in England's victory, bowling the visitors out for a mere 141 thanks to her 5 for 25.With England needing just eight more runs to win, Bouchier was adjudged not out lbw on 92. The decision was a huge relief for the batter, who admitted that her heart rate was "going through the roof."Undeterred, Bouchier continued to play with composure and determination. She scampered two runs off the next ball, then two singles took her past her previous best of 95.With four runs still needed to win, Bouchier struck a boundary through midwicket to seal the victory for England. It was a moment of pure joy for the batter, who was mobbed by her teammates."I've just started to trust myself more and I've got a lot more confidence in the way I play," Bouchier said after the match. "That's a big thing for me. I time the ball quite well and that's one of my big strengths, so using those as much as I can."Bouchier's century is a sign of her growing maturity as a batter. She has established herself at the top of the order for England and is now one of their most reliable performers.

Southern Vipers, the reigning champions of the Charlotte Edwards Cup, showcased their dominance with a resounding 113-run victory over South East Stars. Maia Bouchier, the 25-year-old opener, led the charge with a career-best 93, propelling Vipers to a formidable total of 179 for 5.Bouchier's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as she dispatched the Stars' bowlers to all corners of the ground. She reached her half-century in just 27 balls, setting the tone for a high-scoring affair. Skipper Georgia Adams contributed 39, while Freya Kemp added a quickfire 30 at the end.In response, South East Stars' chase crumbled under the weight of Vipers' spin attack. Charlie Dean, Linsey Smith, and Charli Knott combined to take nine wickets, with Dean claiming 3 for 5 and Smith 3 for 12. Bryony Smith, the Stars' skipper, was the only batter to offer any resistance, scoring 22 before being stumped.The Stars' innings never recovered from the early loss of three wickets in the powerplay. Paige Schofield, Tash Farrant, and Kalea Moore all fell cheaply, leaving the Stars reeling at 44 for 6. Knott wrapped up the innings in the 14th over, dismissing Alice Davidson-Richards and Emily Jones in quick succession.The victory ensures that Southern Vipers will enter Finals Day in Derby on Saturday as one of the favorites to retain their title. Their dominant performance against South East Stars serves as a warning to their rivals that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Sophia Dunkley's omission from England's T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming series against Pakistan has raised questions about her future with the national team. The 24-year-old batter has struggled for form in recent months, prompting head coach Jon Lewis to urge her to rediscover her rhythm and find her best cricket.Dunkley has not reached double figures in three of her last nine T20I innings and has not passed 32 since scoring a half-century against Australia last July. She has also played just one ODI since the Women's Ashes, scoring 1 against New Zealand in Hamilton last month.Lewis believes that Dunkley has the talent to be one of England's best cricketers, but she needs to find a way to cope with the pressure and expectations that come with playing at the international level."I still have a really strong belief that Sophia's got a big future playing for England," Lewis said. "I think her talent is as incredible. She just needs a little bit of space to get back to her best cricket and work out how to cope with the situation she's being put in."Dunkley's absence from the squad has opened the door for Maia Bouchier, who has impressed with her performances at the top of the order in recent matches. Bouchier scored 91 from 56 balls in the fourth T20I against New Zealand, and Lewis believes that she has the potential to be a "crackerjack cricketer.""Maia has always been incredibly talented," Lewis said. "The bit that I suppose Maia has struggled with in the past is putting regular big scores together. She's starting to understand how to build bigger innings. The work that we've done with her in particular is around controlling emotion and controlling herself in the game and thinking tactically about how she's going to play."England will head to Abu Dhabi to prepare for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in Bangladesh in February and March. Lewis believes that the team has made progress in their ability to play spin bowling, but they still have work to do."We are working very hard, hard at it," Lewis said. "We know it's going to be a big part of that competition and we're talking about it and we're working on it and we're trying to improve our game against spin. I thought in our series against India, and in the T20 series against India in particular, I thought we showed some real signs of improvement there."

Maia Bouchier, England's rising star, has set her sights on solidifying her position as the team's top-order batter ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The 25-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough winter tour of New Zealand, where she seized the opportunity to showcase her skills in the absence of senior players.Bouchier's promotion to the opening slot during the Sri Lanka series last summer proved fruitful, as she complemented Nat Sciver-Brunt's century with a career-best 95. However, it was her performance in the T20I series against New Zealand that truly cemented her status. Batting at No.3 in the first three matches, she made significant contributions, including a series-sealing 91 from 56 balls after being promoted to open in the fourth match."I've been waiting for that moment," Bouchier said. "I've really enjoyed my cricket and putting in some performances for England. Going into this summer, I'll do as much as I can to grab every opportunity and keep that spot now."Bouchier's success is the culmination of a settled run in the side, promised to her by head coach Jon Lewis last summer. Despite her impressive form in the Hundred, she had previously been limited to middle-order roles. However, her recent performances have outshone both Tammy Beaumont and Sophia Dunkley, making her a strong contender for a first-choice opening spot at the World Cup."It was all about being patient for that moment," Bouchier said. "I guess I had to do those tough years to get to that point, but playing in those [lower-order] positions meant I had to be able to adapt quickly, so that has only helped me going up to the top of the order."England's summer schedule includes home series against Pakistan and New Zealand, followed by the Hundred. Bouchier is confident that the team has addressed its shortcomings against spin, a notable weakness in recent years."Bangladesh is going to be difficult, and spin is always a talking point, but really it comes down to the game situation and the ball in hand at that moment," Bouchier said. "Everyone has been working on playing to their strengths against spin, whether it's reverse-sweeping or long sweeps to the other side of the pitch."Bouchier also highlighted the importance of the MCC Foundation Hubs tournament, which provides opportunities for young girls to participate in cricket. She believes that the program's growth reflects the increasing interest in women's cricket."It's amazing," she said. "This foundation is there for kids and teenagers in that range, who don't know whether they want to play, but they're really interested in getting involved. It gives them access and brings the community together as well, which is exactly what you want."

England's Maia Bouchier emerged as a batting sensation, guiding her team to a commanding 47-run victory over New Zealand in the third T20I in Wellington. Bouchier's blistering 91 propelled England to a formidable 177 for 3, setting an insurmountable target for the hosts.Bouchier, promoted to open the innings, seized the opportunity with aplomb. Despite an early reprieve on 5, she unleashed a destructive display, reaching her maiden T20I half-century in just 33 balls. Her innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring a magnificent straight six off Hannah Rowe.Bouchier's dominance continued as she forged a 75-run partnership with Alice Capsey. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight provided the late fireworks, adding 34 runs off just 14 balls. England's aggressive approach saw them amass 65 runs in the final five overs, leaving New Zealand with a daunting chase.New Zealand's hopes were dealt a major blow when captain Sophie Devine suffered a quad strain while bowling. Her absence was keenly felt as the hosts struggled to keep pace with England's imposing total. Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Amelia Kerr provided some resistance, but Charlie Dean's four-wicket haul extinguished any hopes of a comeback.Dean's impressive performance highlighted England's bowling strength. Sophie Ecclestone, returning to international duty, was typically economical, despite a rare fielding lapse. Lauren Bell's early strike on Suzie Bates further weakened New Zealand's batting lineup.Bouchier's outstanding innings and England's collective dominance secured a series-clinching victory. The visitors' aggressive approach and clinical execution proved too much for a depleted New Zealand side.