ALICE CAPSEY put her unbeaten 74 down to hard work as England claimed a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in their opening T20 clash.

The 21-year-old opened the batting for the hosts in Derby and spearheaded England’s chase of 137 with a superb knock of 74 from 51 balls.

Capsey and Freya Kemp put on an unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership of 64 to steer England to victory with 16 balls remaining and put them 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Reflecting on her performance, Capsey told the post-match presentation: “[It’s a] completely new role, so I guess with this England team at the minute there’s such competition for spots that whatever opportunity you get it’s always nice to take it.

“A completely new role and just about taking in the opportunity I guess. It’s always nice to get the first win in the bag.

“I’ve worked on quite a few different areas of my game and I feel really comfortable at the crease, really calm and I think it showed today.

“I think I was two off eight and just that composure to know I can catch-up and really believe that as well. I’ve been amazingly supported by the staff here.

“To put that into practice today was really nice.”

England set the tone after opening with a solid bowling performance which saw stand-in skipper Charlie Dean and Lauren Bell take two wickets each.

Linsey Smith also finished with one wicket for 10 runs from four overs before Capsey and Kemp saw England over the line, and Dean was pleased with their display.

“It’s brilliant to start the series like that with the ball up top. Lauren Bell was exceptional, as was Linsey Smith,” Dean said.

“Everyone chipped in as well in the field. To put in a fielding performance like that is something we can be really proud of.

“With the bat it looked to be in the balance for a long time, but the girls stuck at it and to finish with two batters not out, Alice and Freya were exceptional.”

New Zealand captain Melie Kerr admitted her side struggled for runs having finished their innings on 136 for seven, despite Sophie Devine smashing 45 from 22 deliveries.

“Probably not enough. I thought 140 would’ve given us a chance to get in the game but again, I guess that middle phase after Sophie got out it just looked hard to score for our group,” Kerr said.

“Obviously Sophie cleared the rope a few times, but we would’ve loved 150 or 160.”

England and New Zealand face off again tomorrow in the second T20 of the series.