Women’s WC: Eng thrash NZ by 8 wickets

England wrapped up their group stage campaign in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup with a dominant eight-wicket win over New Zealand at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, powered by a collective bowling effort and a fluent unbeaten 86 from wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones.
Batting first, New Zealand appeared to be in control at 89/1, with Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer forging a promising 68-run partnership for the second wicket. However, England’s bowlers triggered a dramatic collapse, dismissing the remaining nine batters for just 79 runs. Linsey Smith led the bowling attack with figures of 3/30, while skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey claimed two wickets each. Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone also chipped in, with England’s spinners finding their rhythm after a shaky start.
The collapse began when Amelia holed out to long-on off Alice, followed immediately by Georgia being trapped lbw by Charlie. Sophie Devine, playing her final ODI, managed a brief cameo before being dismissed by Nat, her inside edge caught by Amy Jones. Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze, Rosemary Mair, Jess Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu all fell cheaply, with Linsey and Nat wrapping up the innings. New Zealand were bowled out for 168.
England’s chase was clinical and swift. Amy Jones anchored the innings with a composed 86 not out off 92 balls, her highest score in an ODI World Cup. She struck 11 fours and a six, and shared a 75-run opening stand with Tammy Beaumont. The duo capitalized on loose deliveries, particularly from Jess Kerr, who conceded four boundaries in a single over. Tammy contributed with fluent strokes before being trapped lbw by Lea Tahuhu.
Heather Knight joined Amy and kept the momentum going, hitting boundaries off Eden Carson and overturning an lbw decision via review. Amy brought up her fifty in 71 balls with a six over long-on off Suzie Bates, then accelerated with a hat-trick of boundaries off Rosemary Mair. Though Sophie Devine returned to dismiss Heather with an in-dipper, Danni Wyatt-Hodge partnered Amy to complete the chase with 124 balls to spare.
England’s victory secured second place in the points table, setting up a semi-final clash against South Africa in Guwahati on October 29. With rain having disrupted several matches in the tournament, England’s superior group finish could be crucial—if the semi-final and its reserve day are both washed out, England will progress to the final on November 2.
The match also marked an emotional farewell for New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who ended her ODI career with grace. Though she declined a guard of honour while coming out to bat, she received one upon her exit, greeted warmly by teammates and England players alike.
Earlier in the match, England had a brief scare when Sophie Ecclestone left the field after an awkward landing while saving a boundary. Despite early inconsistencies in line and length, England’s bowlers regrouped effectively. Linsey Smith dismissed Suzie Bates early, and the spinners tightened their grip post-powerplay.
New Zealand’s middle and lower order failed to recover from the double blow of Amelia and Georgia’s dismissals. Brooke Halliday was caught at deep mid-wicket, Maddy Green toe-ended a full toss back to Alice, and Isabella Gaze was bowled by Linsey. Rosemary Mair was trapped lbw by Nat, Jess Kerr was run out, and Lea Tahuhu’s mistimed loft was caught sharply by Charlie Dean.
England’s comprehensive win not only capped off their group stage on a high but also reinforced their title credentials heading into the knockout phase. With Amy Jones in sublime form and the bowling unit firing collectively, England will look to carry this momentum into the semi-finals.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 168 in 38.2 overs (Georgia Plimmer 43, Amelia Kerr 35; Linsey Smith 3-30, Nat Sciver-Brunt 2-31) lost to England 172/2 in 29.2 overs (Amy Jones 86 not out, Tammy Beaumont 40; Lea Tahuhu 1-9, Sophie Devine 1-20) by eight wickets.