NZ (won toss) `beaten by 46 runs
Beaumont, dropped on 64, hits 97 from 65 balls
England captain Heather Knight out with hamstring injury - Nat Sciver leads side, Emma Lamb debuts
NZ's Suzie Bates back after injury for first international for 11 months
First of three women's T20 internationals, Chelmsford
Tweet using #bbccricket or text 81111 (standard message rates apply)
Danni Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont are making their way out to the middle.
It is time for cricket.
Don't forget you WATCH this game LIVE on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and using the play icon at the top of this page.
Here's the moment that Emma Lamb was presented with her first international cap.
A proud moment for any cricketer.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
These two sides have already met in 2021. They played three Twenty20s and three One-Day Internationals in New Zealand in February and March.
England won the T20 series 3-0, and the ODI series 2-1.
In the T20s they chased twice and defended in the decider, so they are capable of beating New Zealand either way round.
Image source, Getty Images
Lauren Winfield-Hill
England batter on BBC Two
New Zealand have been there or thereabouts for a long time. They have a real nice blend of experience and youth.
Tonight marks the start of eight games, in four weeks, between England and the New Zealand.
Unlike the India series earlier in the summer, this is not a multi-format series, and the Twenty20 and One-Day Internationals are treated separately.
The series starts with three T20s, before five ODIs, as build-up to March's 50-over World Cup in New Zealand starts to intensify.
Image source, BBC SportAlex Hartley and Kate Cross - the hosts of BBC's No Balls podcast - are both on the TV coverage tonight.
They are joined by England's 50-over opener Lauren Winfield-Hill and men's Hundred winner Tymal Mills in the summariser seats. Isa Guha will present the coverage, and commentate alongside Alison Mitchell. Of course, Andy Zaltzman is there in his stat cave too.
It should be a lot of laughs.
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
Alex Hartley
England spinner on BBC Two
Emma Lamb had a brilliant season for Manchester Originals and North West Thunder. She has three T20 hundreds to her name already. She plays fearless cricket.
Emma Lamb became the first player to hit a century in the Charlotte Edwards Cup when she hit 111 off 61 balls in Thunder's win over Sunrisers in July.
She then took 3-16 with the ball, so she's had a handy little player.
The 23-year-old is used to batting at the top of the order, though, so she'll have a new role to get acclimatised too today.
England have made two changes from their last T20 against India in July. As we know Emma Lamb has replaced Heather Knight, while the second change means Tash Farrant - fresh from being the leading wicket-taker in the women's Hundred - replaces Freya Davies.
For New Zealand, captain Sophie Devine is back, after taking a break from the game. While Suzie Bates returns - having played just one warm-up game - since having a shoulder operation last November.
England: Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt, Natalie Sciver (c), Amy Jones (wk), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Katherine Brunt. Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, Mady Villiers, Tash Farrant.
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine (c), Amy Satterthwaite, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Katey Martin (wk), Hayley Jensen, Thamsyn Newton, Hannah Rowe, Jess Kerr, Leigh Kasperek.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine at the toss: "We think there might be a bit on the pitch, but we know Chelmsford is normally a road, so it'll be nice to just get out there as a group.
"It is really nice to be back. I needed a break, and to step away mentally and refresh myself and it is humbling to be back and leading the New Zealand side.
"It is massive to Suzie Bates back. We've missed her energy in the field, and with the bat."
England captain Nat Sciver at the toss: "It is brilliant that Emma Lamb is making her debut - she had a brilliant Hundred and domestic season so far. It is brilliant to have her in the side and hopefully she can get used to it and show us what she's made of.
"A series like this is always important, and the challenging ourselves against brilliant players is something we need to do consistently."
Kate Cross
England seamer on BBC Two
Sometimes you don't know which New Zealand will turn up, but hopefully we'll get a good game tonight.
Nat Sciver confirms that Emma Lamb is making her England debut too.
Nat Sciver says she found out she was captain yesterday, so she's had time to consider it.
She would have bowled first.
Sophie Devine calls correctly and asks England to bat first.
Time for the toss...
Heather Knight's absence may also mean a debut for North West Thunder's Emma Lamb.
Lamb, 23, has a T20 century in domestic cricket this season.
The all-rounder was a late call-up to the squad after Maia Bouchier and Charlie Dean were deemed close Covid-19 contacts. The pair may be available for Saturday's game.
It is not the first time that Nat Sciver has captained England.
She led the side in the third T20 when these two met earlier in the year, when Heather Knight was again out injured.
First of all we've got some injury news to bring you that has broke in the last five minutes or so.
England captain Heather Knight will miss tonight’s game with an injury to her right hamstring. She felt some soreness in Monday’s training session, has since had a scan, and will be monitored ahead of Saturday's second T20.
All-rounder Nat Sciver will captain the team tonight in Knight's absence.
Image source, Getty Images