Skipper Charlotte Edwards hit a stylish unbeaten half-century today as England brushed New Zealand aside in its first warm-up match before the ICC Women's World Twenty20 2009 tournament.
Set 123 to win in a re-run of the World Cup final earlier this year, the host eased home with seven wickets and seven balls to spare, Edwards sealing the result with a fine pull and cut for consecutive boundaries off pace bowler Sophie Devine.
"We've played a lot over the last few weeks and we know what we are about," Edwards said. "We're in pretty good form.
"There's been a lot of hype since the World Cup and I'm just glad that we keep putting in performances because there's huge expectation," added Edwards, who had pledged to treat the warm-up as seriously as a full international.
England assistant coach Jack Birkenshaw, however, was more guarded.
"It was good but there are areas where we must improve. We got to 70 without loss after 10 overs but then lost our momentum. We also gave away an extra over in wides and dropped a couple of catches. But, overall, we're satisfied."
Edwards, a classical right-hander, was 55 not out at the end. She and Sarah Taylor (44) put on 73 for the first wicket to leave the tournament favourites in firm control.
New Zealand had reached 122 for 8 after being put in on a damp surface tinged with green.
Captain Aimee Watkins was also her side's top-scorer, making 38 before falling to Edwards's spin. She put on 40 with Lucy Doolan for the opening wicket as the New Zealanders started positively. The dangerous Suzie Bates missed out, though, falling to spinner Holly Colvin for 10.
"We are disappointed that we didn't push on after making a good start with the bat but there were positives for us," said Watkins. "The result does not bother us - it definitely won't give England a psychological edge over us if we meet in the tournament. It was a warm up game."
South Africa, meanwhile, saw off Sri Lanka by 26 runs in their practice game. Opting to bat, the South Africans made 118 for three, with Mignon du Preez making a run-a-ball 51 not out. She and opener Susan Benade put on 94 for the third wicket. Sri Lanka replied with 92 for eight, its chase undermined by three reckless run-outs.
Australia's warm-up with India was washed out but West Indies and Pakistan managed to squeeze in a 14-over-a-side encounter in between the rain showers, with West Indies winning by 26 runs after making 114 for 4, Deandra Dottin lashing 37 off 12 balls and Stacy-Ann King 23 off 14. Pakistan made 88 for 6 in reply.
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