Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on Test Match Special

A litle bit too full from Issy Wong for that six and it was in Izzy Gaze's slot.

NZ 23-1published at 4 overs

4 overs

Tidy from Issy Wong, swinging the ball into Izzy Gaze for three consecutive dot balls.

Gaze hits back though, ramping four over the keeper and then striking confidently over long-on for the game's first six.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on Test Match Special

Linsey Smith has good tactical knowledge. Knowing she can't bowl the same ball more than once in a row. I'd bowl her for a third over here.

A first four for New Zealand as Izzy Gaze slog sweeps Linsey Smith over backward square.

Smith recovers with two dot balls to end the over.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on Test Match Special

Image source, Getty Images

New Zealand just haven't learned. Linsey Smith is such a hard player to sweep. Suzie Bates was looking for the reverse sweep which is exactly what Linsey wants.

It's well bowled by Linsey, cramping her for space and getting that breakthrough for England.

The easy option is to knock the ball down the ground, with mid-on out of the circle. New Zealand have to get better at facing spin if they are going to win this World Cup.

Alison Mitchell
Test Match Special commentator

The plan by New Zealand to drop Georgia Plimmer and restore Suzie Bates to the top of the order has not worked.

Image source, Getty Images

Issy Wong takes the ball at the other end.

Six runs come from it, including a Suzie Bates two down to fine leg.

Alison Mitchell
Test Match Special commentator

New Zealand have not had a bilateral series win over England for 16 years.

Srinivas Vijaykumar
CricViz analyst

Image source, Getty Images

Suzie Bates has struggled against Linsey Smith in all T20s (including domestic games) scoring 25 runs off 38 balls at 66 strike-rate in the 10 instances she's faced the left-arm spinner in the format.

Suzie Bates v Linsey Smith in T20s:

• 10 innings
• 38 balls
• 25 runs
• 1 dismissal
• 66 strike-rate
• 19 dot balls (50%)

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on Test Match Special

Linsey Smith got her line right. She has a skiddy action and always has the stumps in play. Five dots in that over put Suzie Bates under pressure.

A brilliant over and it sets the tone for England.

Another fantastic start for Linsey Smith.

She starts the match with five successive dot balls to Suzie Bates.

The New Zealand opener finally gets off the mark at the end of the over, clipping a single into the leg side and retaining the strike.

The players are heading out to the middle.

Izzy Gaze has a new opening partner - Suzie Bates replaces Georgia Plimmer, who was dismissed for golden ducks at Derby and Canterbury.

Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who has taken the second over in the last two matches, is taking the first today with Lauren Bell absent.

We've had confirmation that this Bank Holiday Monday is the hottest ever UK day in May.

In Hove, there's not a cloud in the sky, and we're running at 25 degrees Celsius - a little cooler than the 33 degrees recorded around London, but still pretty toasty.

There is, of course, no shade out in the middle.

A couple of interesting changes in the line-ups today.

England go in without star seamer Lauren Bell, which means Issy Wong will have to shoulder more responsibility as the sole senior seamer.

Meanwhile Suzie Bates comes back in at the top of the order for New Zealand - she played a bit of a nothing-y role in the first match of this series, not getting a bat at nine and only bowling one over.

England: Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Amy Jones (wicketkeeper), Charlie Dean (captain), Issy Wong, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith.

New Zealand: Izzy Gaze (wicketkeeper), Suzie Bates, Melie Kerr (captain), Sophie Devine, Brook Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Sharp, Jess Kerr, Nensi Patel, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing.

England captain Charlie Dean: "We probably would have had a bat as well. It looks a belting pitch but we are ready to get out there and get going with the ball. We are looking forward to a series decider.

"It feels like perfect preparation for us. Obviously we would have loved to have sealed the series win the other day in Canterbury but that wasn't the case. But we've come here really fresh and ready to go again."

On Sophie Ecclestone's return to the side: "Lauren Bell is having a rest and Sophie Ecclestone is coming back in which is really exciting for us. I think it brings a brilliant opportunity for our bowlers to really go ahead and hit the ground running.

"Linsey Smith has been massive for us in the powerplay and Sophie is exceptional so looking forward to seeing what the spinners can do. It's a bit more of a balanced bowling attack today."

New Zealand skipper Amelia Kerr: "It looks a good wicket and we'll try and have a better start than last time and post a good total.

"Suzie Bates replaces Georgia Plimmer and Rosemary Mair back in Lea Tahuhu. Suzie's got a lot of experience so I'm looking forward to seeing her back out there.

"We've individually reflected with the people that got out and we've got to move on. It would be a rare situation to see us in that position [11-4 like in the second T20] again. It shows a lot of character and fight to see us win from that position."

Image source, Getty Images

For the third match in a row, New Zealand will bat and England will chase.

The hosts put their opponents in after winning the toss at Derby, but Melie Kerr has won the toss twice in a row now and chosen to set a total on both occasions.

Yes, we're 1-1 in this T20 series and whoever wins today in Hove takes the trophy plus a handy little confidence boost in the build-up to next month's World Cup.

England took the first match in Derby pretty comfortably, winning by seven wickets, but were outplayed in Canterbury on Saturday, losing by 14 runs despite reducing their opponents to 11-4 in the first innings.

Can the hosts win this one, or will the world champions emerge with the victory?

We'll be finding out shortly...