In a nail-biting finish, England Women triumphed over New Zealand by one wicket in their first ODI of the season in Durham. The match showcased a mix of nerves and determination from the home side, who had not played internationally for over six months. England's batting was led by Maia Bouchier, who scored 59 runs, and Charlie Dean, who remained unbeaten on 31. Despite a poor fielding display, England managed to bowl New Zealand out for 210 runs. Lauren Bell and Tilly Corteen-Coleman each took two wickets, contributing significantly to the victory. Ahead of the second ODI in Northampton, Bell emphasized the need for improved fielding, attributing the previous performance to early season jitters. New Zealand's Maddy Green acknowledged their batting shortcomings and expressed hope for better adaptation to the conditions in the upcoming match. Both teams are eager to capitalize on lessons learned from the first encounter as they prepare for the next challenge.