England defeated New Zealand by nine wickets on Saturday at The Oval, ending the defending champions' involvement in the Women's T20 World Cup. England chased down a target of 163 with 16 balls to spare, equalling the highest successful run chase in Women's T20 World Cup history.
Match Summary and Key Performances
Danni Wyatt-Hodge scored an unbeaten 89 and Sophia Dunkley remained 49 not out, sharing a 128-run partnership that powered England to their fifth consecutive win in the tournament. Wyatt-Hodge set a new record for most runs in a single Women's T20 World Cup, with her tally of 282 surpassing Beth Mooney's 219 from 2020.
New Zealand, needing a win to advance, posted 163-6. Captain Melie Kerr top-scored with 30, while Suzie Bates was run out for 19. Lea Tahuhu conceded 22 runs in 2.2 wicketless overs. The defeat marked the end of international careers for New Zealand greats Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu, who had announced their retirement after the tournament.
Impact on Semi-Final Lineup
England's victory confirmed the West Indies as Group B runners-up, advancing to the semi-finals. The final semi-final lineup will be decided after Sunday's match between Australia and India. England, as group winners, await their opponent.
"T20 cricket can be fickle, you've got to start again every time but I knew it was a beauty of a pitch and I loved batting out there with Dunks," Wyatt-Hodge told the BBC.
Ireland's Historic Win
Earlier on Saturday, Ireland secured their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup win, beating the West Indies by six wickets in Bristol. Ireland had lost all 21 previous matches across five World Cups. They restricted the West Indies to 128-7, then Orla Prendergast led the chase with 63 off 44 balls, and Rebecca Stokell's unbeaten 16 saw them home with six wickets in hand.
"There's so much relief to finally have that win and so much happiness," Prendergast told Sky Sports. The victory capped a memorable weekend for Irish cricket, following the men's team's first-ever win over India in any format, beating the T20 world champions in Belfast on Friday.
Reactions and Farewells
New Zealand captain Melie Kerr paid tribute to the retiring trio: "I came into this side as a kid and the three of them mentored me, and taught me so much. I feel very grateful to have had so much time with them." Devine, 36, Bates, 38, and Tahuhu have been stalwarts of New Zealand women's cricket for over a decade.
