Cricket: White Ferns suffer first English loss since 1993

The New Zealand women's cricket team suffered their first loss to England since the 1993 World Cup final when soundly thumped by 45 runs in a one-day international at Hove.

The White Ferns were outplayed in the opening game in a five-match series at the County Ground after a disappointing effort in the field helped England reach 221 for nine from their 50 overs.

New Zealand were dismissed for 176 in reply.

Laura Newton provided the backbone to England's innings with 57 scored off 90 balls, while Claire Taylor made 41, Lydia Greenway 36 and Rosalie Birch 31.

England threatened a considerably bigger score but pieced together just 45 runs in the last 10 overs.

Louise Milliken took two for 21 from eight overs for the tourists while Helen Watson took one for 28 off eight.

New Zealand's chase suffered a severe setback when opener Rebecca Rolls was dismissed for a fourth-ball duck when trying to pull a ball from Lucy Pearson.

Maria Fahey offered the most resistance, making 64 off 120 balls, but solid assistance was hard to find.

Only Helen Watson, who made 25, and Maia Lewis, 24, stuck around for any period of time as the New Zealand challenge expired in the 47th over.

Pearson took three for 33 for the English and Birch took three for 45.

Jenny Gunn was wicketless but her 10 overs conceded just 16 runs.

The second match in the series is at Chelmsford tomorrow.

- NZPA