Stand-in captain Charlie Dean and 18-year-old debutant Tilly Corteen-Coleman salvaged a tense one-wicket victory from an underwhelming overall performance to ensure England’s summer began with a win in the first-one day international against New Zealand.
Despite dismissing the White Ferns for 210, England, who open the T20 World Cup at Edgbaston in a month, leaked runs in the field and then slipped to 160-7 in their chase at Chester-le-Street.
And while tailender Lauren Bell put on an important 35 with Dean, 10 were still needed when last batter Corteen-Coleman emerged.
However, the teenager appeared as nerveless as she did in taking 2-49.
She finished three not out while Dean, who was crucially dropped with seven run required, ended unbeaten on 31 as England won in the penultimate over.
But though England are able to celebrate the win, there remains plenty of room for improvement before the World Cup.
Maia Bouchier put down a straightforward chance offered by Georgia Plimmer, while a number of misfields helped New Zealand to their score, with Maddy Green hitting 88 and Amelia Kerr 55 as their fielding problems returned.
The remaining ODIs in the three-match series are on Wednesday and Saturday.
After that the World Cup preparation ramps up when the teams switch to the T20 format.