Dean and Debutant Corteen-Coleman Steer England to One-Wicket Win Over New Zealand

Stand-in captain Charlie Dean and 18-year-old debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman pulled England to a tense one-wicket victory despite a sloppy performance overall. The win kicked off England's summer in the opening one-day international against New Zealand at Chester-le-Street.

England bowled out the White Ferns for 210. But fielding errors let New Zealand rack up runs. Maia Bouchier dropped a simple chance from Georgia Plimmer. Misfields added to the total, with Maddy Green scoring 88 and Amelia Kerr 55.

Chasing 211, England open the T20 World Cup at Edgbaston in a month. They collapsed to 160-7. Tailender Lauren Bell added 35 with Dean. Ten runs were still needed when last batter Corteen-Coleman came in.

The teenager stayed cool, just as she had bowled with figures of 2-49. She ended 3 not out. Dean, dropped when seven runs were needed, finished unbeaten on 31. England won in the penultimate over.

The victory gives England something to celebrate. Still, fielding issues returned, and room for improvement remains before the World Cup. The rest of the three-match ODI series comes Friday and Saturday. Then the teams switch to T20s to ramp up World Cup prep.