Was keeping Smith in a 'no-brainer' that could have changed game for England?

New Zealand beat England by 14 runs in a thrilling second T20 that saw the visitors level the series at 1-1 and set up a Monday decider, but there was one decision that undoubtedly changed the game. Spinner Linsey Smith was England's best bowler, taking three wickets in her opening 10 balls and leaving New Zealand flailing at 11-4 after four overs - but was limited to two overs in the powerplay after stand-in captain Charlie Dean decided to give returning seamer Izzy Wong the ball in the sixth o

England vs New Zealand, second T20: As it happened! Stream England cricket without a contract through NOW Nat Sciver-Brunt in fitness fight ahead of T20 World Cup Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights from the second T20 in Canterbury between England and New Zealand. "You can definitely keep her going. She swung it the most out of anyone up in Derby - even more so than the seamers," former England fast bowler Tash Farrant said on Sky Sports. "The only reason why she took [Linsey] Smith off is to get some powerplay overs into Izzy Wong. She didn't allude to that in her interview, but, for me, it was a no-brainer [to keep Smith in]. "I know in T20s most people don't like to bowl their bowlers three overs in a row - but while Smith is getting that shape to right-handers she is so lethal. She picked up three in her first couple of overs. "She's so important for England - I do think they need to look at front-loading Smith." Despite her side's result, England's stand-in captain Dean defended her decision to remove Smith from the bowling attack in favour of Wong. Obviously I kept [Lauren] Bell on at one end. I felt we really needed one more wicket and we could really be through. "It's hard to bowl three straight overs in the powerplay for anyone - even for someone of Linsey's brilliant quality.

Key points

• England vs New Zealand, second T20: As it happened!
• Stream England cricket without a contract through NOW Nat Sciver-Brunt in fitness fight ahead of T20 World Cup Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Highlights from the secon…
• "You can definitely keep her going.
• She swung it the most out of anyone up in Derby - even more so than the seamers," former England fast bowler Tash Farrant said on Sky Sports.
• "The only reason why she took [Linsey] Smith off is to get some powerplay overs into Izzy Wong.