4/5/24, 3:31 PM 'Good reflections' around mental game help Jones play the long game in opening ODI

opening ODI against New Zealand | ESPNcricinfo

England were 58 for 5 when Jones walked to the middle and, when Amelia Kerr bowled Danni Wyatt for just 16 it looked like
New Zealand could well defend a modest total of 207 after Kate Cross, Lauren Bell and Charlie Dean had combined to bowl
the hosts out inside 49 overs.

But Jones and Dean shared a record 130-run partnership - the highest for the seventh wicket in women's ODIs - to see their
side to victory with Dean not out on 42. Without run-rate pressure, the fact that the pair was able to accumulate without
taking risks was key to their success and, incidentally, formed the crux of Jones' new mindset after scores of 2, 9, 6 and 6 not
out in her previous four innings as England beat New Zealand 4-1 on the T20I leg of the tour.

"Firstly, it was just recognising where my mind was going in those past situations and there's definitely an element of feeling
like I needed to force a boundary and get ahead of the rate," Jones said. "So with those reflections, realising that I don't need
to do that, I play at my best when I'm reacting to the ball, so that doesn't change depending on the situation. Today me and
Deano especially, we were just constantly saying, 'One ball at a time,' and just reacting, just kept in the moment, which was
good. I thought we played with freedom and did what we set out to."

Amy Jones and Charlie Dean stitched an unbroken 130-run stand to lift England • Getty Images

Amelia Kerr - standing in as New Zealand captain for Sophie Devine, who is recovering from a quad strain she suffered during
the fourth T20I - praised the England duo.

"We knew we had to take wickets to win and we did that and then Amy Jones and Charlie Dean had a great partnership and we
couldn't find a way to break it," Amelia Kerr said. "We've got to look at ways how we can break that moving forward, but also
you have to say 'well played' to them. I thought they were outstanding. Charlie Dean did her role and supported Amy Jones
and Amy Jones showed her class and got a big score and it just shows when someone bats through and bats deep, that often
wins teams games. Unfortunately, we didn't have anyone today do that for us.

"The fight was outstanding. To have them four down and six down for not many I thought gave us a real sniff and we were
probably one wicket away from winning that game. Good international teams bat deep and they know how to build
partnerships and they absorb pressure and they formed that partnership and unfortunately, we couldn't find the
breakthrough. I thought they played really well. But definitely up top, the character of the fight and the energy was
outstanding to get quality players out early and give us a real chance."

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