England lost the first game of their one-day international series as New Zealand captain Suzie Bates led the way with a century at Mount Maunganui.

Bates (106) and Rachel Priest (52) added 157 for the first wicket before spinner Heather Knight took 4-47 as the hosts made 240-8 from their 50 overs.

Knight and skipper Charlotte Edwards were then both run out as England made a stuttering start to their run chase.

The tourists were bowled out for 173 as New Zealand wrapped up a 67-run win.

While England will rue the fact that Bates was dropped on 48 by Lydia Greenway, usually their best fielder, their front-line bowlers failed to make an impression after Edwards won the toss and opted to field first on a green-tinged pitch.

Instead, it was vice-captain Knight - who only took up bowling her part-time off-spin in earnest last year - who recorded her best international figures and saved England from having to chase an even bigger total, finally breaking the Bates-Priest opening stand in the 31st over.

Left-arm spinner Rebecca Grundy, back from injury, also bowled tidily on her ODI debut, her 10 overs only costing 35 runs while bowling Kate Broadmore for her maiden wicket in this format.

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