Georgie Boyce top-scored and Liv Baker and captain Josie Groves claimed a wicket each, but an ECB Women’s Development XI fell short against New Zealand in a 50-over friendly in Durham.

Baker returned 1/26 from seven overs opening the bowling and Groves collected 1/40 from her eight overs, while Boyce made 32 from 41 balls at the top of the order.

However, the tourists’ 200 all out was enough to see them home as the Development XI could muster only 182, with three ‘home’ batters permitted two visits to the crease.

Boyce, Groves, and Baker were joined as The Blaze’s representatives in the squad by Ella Claridge, who kept wicket and added 18 to the total with the bat.

Claridge also claimed a catch, which gave Baker the wicket of Izzy Gaze in an all-Blaze scalp, but Jess Kerr’s 44, in spite of Phoebe Brett’s 5/27, saw the tourists to exactly 200 in 47.3 overs.

Boyce, who hit six fours, helped move the Development XI’s score beyond 50 in a steady start, but her wicket, plus that of Claridge just before halfway, gave the tourists the advantage.

Groves added 24 for the innings’ second-highest score down the order, but Suzie Bates collected 3/13 as the Development XI were unable to overhaul New Zealand’s total.