Devine blitz steers White Ferns to eight-wicket win over Indian eves

Sophie Devine smashed a sparkling half-ton as the New Zealand women's cricket team claimed a convincing eight-wicket win over Indian eves in the first Twenty-20 match on Saturday at Bengaluru.

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Put in to bat first, Indian eves got off to a promising start as captain Mithali Raj provided the initial thrust by scoring a brisk 35 off 23 balls before she was run out by Natalie Dodd.

However, wickets kept falling at regular intervals and India were eventually bundled out for a paltry 125.

Morna Nielsen and Kate Broadmore were the pick of the bowlers for the tourists as both scalped three wickets each, while Leigh Kasperek took two wickets.

In reply, although New Zealand lost opener Rachel Priest early for mere two runs, Devine bludgeoned a brisk 70 off just 22 deliveries, including eight sixes and five fours before her dismissal.

Subsequently, Amy Satterthwaite and Kasperek remained unbeaten on their respective scores of 39 and 11 to steer their side to an emphatic victory within 12.3 overs.

With the win, New Zealand lead the three-match T20 series 1-0 and will take on the hosts again on 13th July.