New Zealand Beat England In Series Opener

England suffered a 61-58 conclusion by New Zealand successful nan opening crippled of their three-match series.

The Roses, classed 4th successful nan world, are facing nan second-ranked Silver Ferns arsenic portion of nan build-up to adjacent year's Commonwealth Games successful Glasgow.

Both sides gave distant nan shot 15 times astatine nan Copper Box successful London, but New Zealand were nan much objective side.

"Of people it stings, but nan margins are tiny," England coach Jess Thirlby told Sky Sports.

"It is conscionable moments wherever we request to smarten up. Tomorrow is different day.

"We made it a spot easy for them astatine times. We had excessively galore blips successful nan circuit."

England took an early lead successful beforehand of a noisy crowd successful their first lucifer since February.

But New Zealand, who denied England a badge astatine nan 2022 Commonwealth Games, fought backmost and led 15-14 aft nan first 4th pinch a people connected nan buzzer.

New Zealand extended their lead to 33-30 by half-time. Goal shooter Grace Nweke proved adjacent unstoppable and was supported by sisters Kate and Georgia Heffernan, while England made unforced errors.

Thirlby made changes astatine half-time and her broadside were reinvigorated for nan 3rd play arsenic they stormed backmost to level astatine 47-47.

Goal keeper Jaz Brown was awesome connected her England debut pinch important steals.

However, nan visitors showed their value successful nan 4th fourth contempt England shooter Eleanor Cardwell coming disconnected nan chair for her first quality since suffering a knee wounded which threatened her career.

The 2nd crippled takes spot astatine nan aforesaid venue connected Sunday and nan last lucifer is astatine AO Arena successful Manchester connected Wednesday.

England play Jamaica successful December.