Heather Knight led England to a comfortable 27-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20 match

England comfortably defeated New Zealand by 27 runs in the first T20 match in Dunedin.

Captain Heather Knight played a classy innings of 63 runs from just 39 balls, leading the visitors to a total of 160-4 after losing the toss. Maia Bouchier provided valuable support with an unbeaten 43 runs.

In response, White Ferns skipper Suzie Bates scored 65 runs but struggled to find support from the middle order, resulting in a final score of 133-5.

Seamer Lauren Bell was the standout performer in England's dominant bowling display, taking 2-29.

England's victory was impressive despite the absence of key players Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt, Sophie Ecclestone and Alice Capsey, who will miss the first three T20s to coincide with the conclusion of the Women's Premier League in India.

Tammy Beaumont returned to the XI after more than two years away from the T20 side. She scored 15 in her 100th match in the format.

Fellow opener Sophia Dunkley contributed a dynamic 32 from 24 balls before an entertaining 91-run partnership between Knight and Bouchier took England to their competitive total.

New Zealand performed well with the ball on a flat pitch but their fielding let them down, with three dropped catches and a missed stumping.

The absence of key players, including regular captain Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr due to the WPL, added to the pressure on Bates during the chase. The rest of the line-up struggled to counter England's disciplined middle overs.

The second T20 of the five-match series will be held at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Friday.