Another Heather Knight half-century and a New Zealand collapse saw England continue their winning start to the T20 series with a 15-run victory in Nelson.

Knight, who had made 63 in England’s opening win in Dunedin on Tuesday, anchored the tourists’ innings with an unbeaten 56 from 40 balls as the White Ferns were set 150 to win.

After reaching 100 for three with more than five overs to go, however, the home side lost five wickets for eight runs, before some tail-end resistance saw them eventually finish short on 134 for eight.

Sophie Devine, back from the Women’s Premier League to captain New Zealand, removed both England’s openers inside the powerplay, leaving Knight to steady from No4.

No other batter reached 20, but the skipper struck four fours and two sixes to keep the scoreboard moving, with spinners Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn both making useful contributions down the order.

Dean and seamer Lauren Bell would each go on to take two wickets apiece in New Zealand’s reply, with another returning WPL star Amelia Kerr the pick of the home batters before she was dismissed by all-rounder Danielle Gibson when looking dangerous on 44 from 36 balls.

England do not welcome back their own WPL players - Alice Capsey, Danni Wyatt, Sophie Ecclestone and Nat Sciver-Brunt - until the Fourth T20 and could well have the five-match series wrapped up before then should they make it three wins on the bounce at the same venue on Sunday.