The White Ferns have gone 2-0 down to England in their five-match Twenty20 international series following a rain-hit 23-run defeat in Hove.

A weather-delayed contest was reduced to nine overs each and England impressed in posting 89 for six after being sent in.

New Zealand struggled in response and were 42-5 off 6.4 overs when the rain returned, ending the match prematurely with the tourists well beaten on DLS calculations.

As has been the case on their tour, the White Ferns top order struggled, with captain Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr all failing to reach double figures.

Brooke Halliday top-scored with 14 but her dismissal came as the required run rate began to escalate for the visitors, who lost the opening match in Southampton by 59 runs.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Earlier, experienced New Zealand bowlers Lea Tahuhu (2-20) and Kerr (2-21) returned the best figures from their two overs each.

Alice Capsey top-scored for England with 28 while Maia Bouchier scored 23.

The third T20 is in Canterbury on Friday morning (NZT).

New Zealand are still searching for a first win on tour, having been swept 3-0 by the classy England in the one-day international series.