Smith gives England a dream start as she picks up three early wickets
New Zealand 170-5 (20 overs): Devine 87 (57), Green 56*; Smith 3-25
England 156-6 (20 overs): Bouchier 38 (33); Patel 2-25
New Zealand won by 14 runs; series level at 1-1
England experienced a disappointing 14-run loss as Sophie Devine's outstanding performance helped New Zealand level the T20 series at Canterbury.
England's bowlers began strongly in hot conditions, reducing New Zealand to 11-4 early on. However, Sophie Devine and Maddy Green forged a record 159-run partnership for the fifth wicket, guiding the White Ferns to a competitive total of 170-5.
All-rounder Devine scored 87 runs from 57 balls before being run out on the final ball of the innings, while Green remained unbeaten on 56.
Devine struck six sixes and five fours as England's bowlers and fielders struggled under pressure, repeating familiar challenges.
Linsey Smith dominated the powerplay, finishing with figures of 3-25, dismissing opener Georgia Plimmer and captain Melie Kerr for first-ball ducks. Despite this, New Zealand's recovery shifted momentum heading into the second innings.
England began their chase positively, but Sophia Dunkley was the first to lose her wicket after scoring 26 from 18 balls.
Following Alice Capsey's dismissal for 22, Heather Knight and Maia Bouchier added 43 runs for the third wicket. Their cautious approach allowed the required run rate to rise, and both fell in consecutive balls during the 16th over, effectively sealing New Zealand's victory.
Explosive all-rounders Dani Gibson and Freya Kemp were tasked with scoring 30 runs from the final two overs but were dismissed for 12 and 14 respectively, as England concluded their innings at 156-6.
The series decider will take place at Hove on Monday, with even hotter conditions anticipated.
Destructive Devine shows her class
Watch the best shots as Devine hits 87 to help New Zealand fight back against England
New Zealand will be a team in transition following this summer's T20 World Cup, where they will defend their title. Veteran Devine demonstrated the significant gap she will leave in their batting lineup with one of her finest innings.
New Zealand's innings began disastrously with Izzy Gaze bowled by Lauren Bell in the first over. Left-arm spinner Smith then took two wickets in quick succession, dismissing Plimmer caught and bowled and Kerr lbw after a missed sweep.
Brooke Halliday was caught at long-off for three, leaving England in complete control at the end of the six-over powerplay with New Zealand at 29-4.
However, Devine used her experience to shift the pressure back onto England. She struck Charlie Dean for consecutive sixes, forcing England's captain out of the attack after just one over that conceded 14 runs.
This meant all-rounders Kemp and Gibson had to bowl their full quotas, conceding 34 runs each from four wicketless overs, while Issy Wong gave up 24 runs in her three overs.
Devine skillfully shuffled her stance throughout her innings, often ending up on the ground, effectively disrupting the seamers' lengths.
Devine and Green rotated the strike consistently, causing England's fielders to fumble and misfield repeatedly. Bouchier dropped a straightforward catch off Devine at long-off in the final over, allowing an additional nine runs.
England had impressed overall at Derby in the first game, but this performance from one of the world's best batters served as a timely warning of the quality they will face on home soil next month.
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