Clare Connor celebrated her debut as captain of England women with the first win of the tour down under as they beat Wellington by 11 runs at the Basin Reserve.

It was not the best team Wellington could put out as three of their top players were in Melbourne playing for New Zealand against Australia. But after six defeats against the Aussies, England were glad of any sort of victory.

Connor, the 23-year-old Brighton & Hove player, who took over last week after Karen Smithies resigned the captaincy following the 220-run trouncing by Australia in Newcastle, said: "A win is a win is a win. We needed to get that one under our belts. Now we can go on from there in the five one-dayers against New Zealand."

England were still patchy in the field, several catches going down as Wellington drew nearer to their victory target of 197. Neither was England's batting as solid as it might have been and it took opener Claire Taylor, who scarcely figured in Australia, to boost them to 196-8 in their 50 overs with 83 off 84 balls including 10 boundaries.

Connor said: "She will give us a selection problem after that. But it is a nice sort of problem to have. "Speaking of her long-term aim as England captain, Connor said: "My ambition has become a reality. I feel honoured, proud, overwhelmed, nervous, excited. An array of emotions which I must fuel in the best way possible for my first Test on February 12.

"It is a tremendous opportunity for me to make my mark, make fresh decision and changes and restore national pride.

"As captain of England I have the choice now to make changes which will hopeful pave the way to World Cup success in New Zealand in 10 months time."

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