Women's World Cup: England make short work of Kiwis, run into SA in semis

There was no fairytale farewell for captain Sophie Devine as New Zealand ended their Women’s World Cup campaign with an eight-wicket defeat against England at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.


Electing to bat on a good surface, New Zealand failed to put up a fight against England’s disciplined bowling attack and were bundled out for 168 inside 39 overs. Amy Jones then anchored England’s chase with a classy unbeaten 86 (92b, 11x4, 1x6), guiding her team home in just 29.2 overs.

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England’s victory lifted them to second place in the standings with 11 points, behind Australia (13), boosting their confidence ahead of the semifinal clash against South Africa in Guwahati on October 29.

The England openers set a strong foundation, adding 75 runs in just 15 overs before Tammy Beaumont (40; 38b, 7x4) was trapped leg-before by Lea Tahuhu. At the other end, Jones looked in sublime touch, and along with skipper Heather Knight (33; 40b, 2x4, 1x6), stitched together an 83-run partnership off 75 balls.

Though Devine managed to trap Knight in front for her final ODI wicket, Jones finished things off in style, hitting consecutive boundaries in Devine’s next over to seal England’s emphatic win.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 169 in 38.2 overs (Georgia Plimmer 43; Linsey Smith 3/30) lost to England 172/2 in 29.2 overs (Amy Jones 86*, Tammy Beaumont 40).