England complete emphatic New Zealand series win in perfect preparation for T20 World Cup

England have thrashed New Zealand 4-1 in perfect preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.

Heather Knight’s side triumphed by five wickets in Wellington overnight to win the final match of a one-sided series.

The two teams now move on to a three-match ODI series that begins in Wellington on Sunday before two further meetings in Hamilton next week.

Chasing 137 in the final T20, captain Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt put together a crucial 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket to put England in control.

England's bowlers made early inroads by reducing the hosts to 31 for four, Sciver-Brunt taking two for 24.

Brooke Halliday hit 33 before holing out to Alice Capsey off Sophie Ecclestone, who finished with three for 30, while wicketkeeper Izzy Gaze reached an unbeaten 51 off the final ball as they lifted the total to 136 for six.

Maia Bouchier, who finished with an England record for a series with 223 runs, fell early in the reply.

Capsey (25) and Danni Wyatt (21) fell before the halfway point, but Sciver-Brunt (31) and Knight took the game away from New Zealand.

Knight fell for 35 with five needed to win, Sophia Dunkley taking just two balls to finish the job with seven deliveries to spare.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.