England v New Zealand: Tammy Beaumont crashes 97 as hosts win first Twenty20

Tammy Beaumont crashed a sensational 97 as England romped to a 46-run victory over New Zealand in the first Twenty20 at Chelmsford.

She was ably assisted by Amy Jones, who made a 15-ball 31, and Sophia Dunkley, who made an unbeaten 23, as England blasted their way to 184-4 - their highest T20 score against the White Ferns.

England, who handed a debut to North West Thunder's Emma Lamb after captain Heather Knight was ruled out with a hamstring injury, removed both Devine and Suzie Bates in the powerplay to seize control.

From there, England shared around regular wickets, and caught and fielded well, to bowl New Zealand out for 138, with seven balls remaining.

The second game in the three-match series is on Saturday at Hove.

'It was a masterclass' - Beaumont grabs opportunity

Tammy Beaumont's 97 was her second-highest score in international T20s, after her 116 against South Africa in 2018

Since her England debut in 2009, Beaumont has made 94 T20 appearances, but has struggled to pin down a particular role in the side. In fact, she has batted in every position - apart from 10 - in the format for England.

The majority have come in her favoured opening slot, but when Lisa Keightley took charge before the 2020 World Cup, Beaumont found herself at seven, and then six, in her first two innings.

A semi-final exit (OK, even though it was because of the rain) forced England into a re-think and led to Beaumont being reunited with Danni Wyatt at the top of the order.

With The Hundred showcasing talents such as Lamb, Alice Capsey and Eve Jones, Beaumont knows she has to take her opportunities and she did just that.

She latched on to any hint of width - hitting 10 boundaries through and over the covers - and used her feet well to hit to, and over, the mid-wicket boundary with alarming ease.

A second international century seamed almost inevitable when she went into the final over on 95, but she fell to rapturous standing applause when she ramped to Brooke Halliday at short third.

Her England team-mate Kate Cross, who was part of the coverage on BBC Two, said: "It was an absolute Tammy Beaumont masterclass. She manipulated the field well and she was powerful - she was just on top of her game tonight."

Tammy Beaumont scored runs all around the wicket, but was particularly strong through the covers

More to follow.