England Women vs New Zealand Women, Match 27 Match Summary

That brings the curtain down on the illustrious WODI career of Sophie Devine. Not the way she would have wanted to go but such is life. New Zealand Women were already eliminated even before this match began, so the result was never a concern, but they are always known as a side which fights till the end, something they could not do in this game or, let's be honest, in any match of this competition. They shift their focus to rebuilding their ODI side now. As far as England are concerned, they did not start the match well, but it does not matter how you start. What matters is how you finish and they sealed the deal pretty neatly. They would be high on confidence ahead of their semifinal clash against South Africa on Wednesday, 29th October, 2025, but will be sweating on Sophie Ecclestone's fitness. We are done from Visakhapatnam but not done for the day yet. Almost as if the weather gods wanted the fans to watch both the matches from start to finish, the last league game between India Women and Bangladesh Women has just about begun, with the contest trimmed to a 43-over-per-side one. Do hop on to the other matchcentre to catch all the action. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious skipper of England, NAT SCIVER-BRUNT, expresses satisfaction with her team's win, saying they were looking to deliver a strong performance after the defeat against Australia and are glad to have done so. Reflecting on their previous loss to Australia, Sciver-Brunt notes that they needed to be more proactive in the middle phase and come up with fresh ideas, which they successfully implemented in this match. Regarding Sophie Ecclestone's injury, Nat mentions that the decision was made to err on the side of caution ahead of the semi-final, and the full extent of the injury is yet to be determined. On giving the ball to Sophia Dunkley, NSB says that she had already decided to give her the ball, although cheekily adds that Danni Wyatt-Hodge kept on asking her to be given a chance to bowl. Ends by praising Amy Jones for setting the platform for the chase with a solid opening stand and feels that Jones staying unbeaten is a confidence England will take into the semis.

The captain of New Zealand Women, SOPHIE DEVINE, is now up for a long chat. Honestly calls this a disappointing performance. Adds that she really wanted to go out on a high and admits that this game's performance was nowhere like that. Credits England for sticking through. Also says that her team did not want to go out this way but unfortunately, things move on. On the talk in the dressing room for this game, Devine says that it was all about confidence, like how they won the T20 World Cup last year. Stresses that the players need to believe that they can beat any team. Is confident that the future looks bright for the New Zealand side and it is all about the self belief of the players that their best is good enough. On her view about her last WODI, Sophie cheekily says that she probably didn't cry as much as she thought she would. But feels great to play for 19 years for her country with her mates. Stresses that it was never about the result of this match. It was always about playing one last game with her mates. Feels humbled to be having a career so long. On her other mates' future - Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu - SD says that she has no idea. Says that the duo has shut shop for now on her but adds that it is completely their decision to make. Also says that they can go on and on and feels lucky to call them her best mates. On the lessons she learnt from the sport and what advice she would give to youngsters, Sophie Devine calls it incredible to see where the Women's game has got to now, from when she started. Just hopes that the game can continue to go along and calls these hugely exciting times. Adds that sports teaches you a lot but for her, despite getting judged by results, spending time with her mates and playing so many games meant a lot more. To the youngsters, Devine says that cricket is always going to be a bumpy ride, with plenty of ups and downs, so just wants them to enjoy the game. Thanks everyone who has come here and even her support staff, media and also oppositions against whom she has played all around the world. Ends by saying that she is humbled to have played the game.

England Women's AMY JONES HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for her swashbuckling unbeaten 86 (92) to go with a catch and run out as well. Jones reflects on England's journey, stating that although their start was tough and frustrating at times, she's delighted they were able to overcome it. Amy expresses her excitement about reaching the semi-finals, highlighting that rebounding from a poor performance has given them a significant confidence boost. She also takes a moment to praise the retiring Sophie Devine, describing her as a legend of the game and acknowledging her profound impact on New Zealand cricket and women's cricket overall.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the day, after electing to bat, New Zealand Women failed to make the most of the toss, conditions and platform. They chose to bat on a sluggish deck, reached to 89/1, but then things fell away badly. What looked like 250 for sure around the 18-over mark, came down crumbling to a paltry 168. After the fine 68-run stand between Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr, the other batters just could not get themselves going, despite England Women not being at their best and even a bowler short, with Sophie Ecclestone walking off the field bowling just 4 balls. But the others stepped up, with Linsey Smith shining with a 3-wicket haul. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

New Zealand Women could never find a way through England's batting, struggling to pick up breakthroughs. There was hardly any moment where the ball even beat the bat consistently. No bowler could keep the scoreboard tied for too long, allowing singles and boundaries to be scored freely.

169 never really posed a challenge to England Women even though the pitch seemed to have indifferent bounce. The new balls were the key and a wicketless Powerplay set things up perfectly for the chasing side. Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont laid the platform with a 75-run stand and the Kiwis could never really come back. Jones stood till the end, making a fine 86, reaching her highest score in Women's ODI World Cups. Heather Knight helped herself to a good knock but one might have thought that Nat Sciver-Brunt would experiment with her middle order, just to give the out-of-touch batters some more time in the middle.

Heartening scenes in Visakhapatnam. Both the teams have decided to give a farewell to the evergreen legend, SOPHIE DEVINE, who cannot hide her blush. She refused it earlier in the game, when she walked out to bat, but cannot refuse it now. Each and every cricketer from both teams gives her a guard of honour and one thinks that there was a tear seen in the legend's eyes. Not the way she would have wanted to end her WODI campaign, with her side bowing out with just 1 win in the tournament. It also marks their 7th successive defeat to England Women in ODI World Cups, with their last win over England in the tournament history coming way back in 2005. It is also New Zealand's biggest defeat to England in Women's ODI World Cups in terms of wickets. Really sad memories for The White Ferns but that takes nothing away from Sophie Devine. Take a bow, M'am.

FOUR! ENGLAND MARCH TO THE NUMBER 2 SPOT! On a length, outside off, Jones comes forward and punches it between mid off and cover, to seal the run chase in style! ENGLAND WOMEN WIN BY 8 WICKETS AND 124 BALLS TO SPARE!

FOUR! SCORES ARE LEVEL! On a good length, around off, Amy Jones goes back and heaves it over mid-wicket. There is barely any timing but the ball trickles into the ropes. Jones moves to 82 (91).

So we might have one more over from the retiring legend. This should be the final over of the match irrespective.

Full, around off, flicked through square leg for a run.

Around off, swept towards mid-wicket.

Way too short, outside off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Outside off, punched towards extra cover. Jones wants the single but Wyatt-Hodge is not so sure. She eventually does take off and just about manages to get through.

Full, outside off, Wyatt-Hodge leans and drives it through the covers, for her first run in this World Cup! Will she be able to feature in the semifinal?

Short, around middle, Amy Jones heaves it towards long on for a single. The target is into single digits now.

Why should only one legend have all the fun? This could be the final WODI for Suzie Bates as well. She gets the ball too. 2-0-16-0 so far.

The cutter to finish, on middle and leg, DWH leans and flicks it towards short mid-wicket. A wide spoils what could have been a wicket maiden for the skipper!

On a length, outside off, Danni goes back and plays the cut, but finds backward point.

WIDE. Down the leg side, Wyatt-Hodge looks to sweep it away but misses.

Full, around off, watchfully defended.

Around off, pushed towards point.

Full, around off, well kept out.

DRINKS BREAK. Just these small things could mean so much for legends. New Zealand know that they are down and out, but just the fact that Devine gets something for her in her possible final over of WODIs, has brought a smile to everyone's lips. Danni Wyatt-Hodge has walked out now, for the final rites.

OUT! LBW! Hurrah for the legend in what could be her final over in WODIs! That looked so plumb that even Heather Knight, who has had plenty of gos with the review system this tournament, chooses not to review. In fact, Jones has a chat with her, but Knight just walks off, even showing a smile which might have meant, 'Naah. Don't think I can get everything my way.' Jokes apart, coming to the ball, it was full and straight. Knight looks to play across the line and misses, with the ball staying low a touch, getting hit on the pads. Devine appeals for LBW with a smile and the umpire raises her finger in a flash. The 83-run stand has been broken and Heather Knight departs for 33 (40). England Women are 158/2, just 11 runs shy of claiming the second spot in the points table. Ball Tracking returns it as umpire's call on leg stump. Not so straight then, as we felt initially.

Final over of the match? Could be, you never know. Sophie Devine wants one final go with the ball in her illustrious WODI career. 3-0-11-0 so far.

FOUR! Down the leg side, Amy Jones stays leg side of the ball again and pulls this to the fine leg fence. The stand moves to 83 (74).

Full, around off, Amy drives it towards mid off.