Defending champions England secured a thrilling one-wicket win against New Zealand on March 20 (Sunday) in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
While chasing a target of 204 runs, England lost five wickets for 20 to reach 196 for 9 from a comfortable 146 for 4. But eventually the defending champions reached the target with 16 balls remaining.
Brilliant bowling
Earlier, batting first, New Zealand registered a total of 203 in 48.5 overs. England’s medium pacer Kate Cross and left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone picked up three wickets each to restrict the opposition within an achievable total. Another English spinner Charlie Dean claimed two wickets.
For New Zealand, Maddy Green (52 not out off 75 balls) was the only player to score a half-century. New Zealand started their innings on a positive note and at one point they seemed comfortably placed at 150 for 4 but due to a batting collapse they lost their remaining 6 wickets within a span of just 53 runs.
In reply, the defending champions lost their opening batter- Danni Wyatt (12 runs off 7 balls) in the 3rd over of the innings. Other opening batter- Tammy Beaumont (25 runs off 36 balls) departed soon as New Zealand’s Lea Tahuhu dismissed the 31-year-old opener in the 10th over of the innings.
A crucial partnership
But England skipper Heather Knight (42 runs off 53 balls) and Nat Sciver (61 runs off 108 balls) showed terrific batting skills to help their side in avoiding the early danger.
Later, New Zealand spinner Frances Mackay picked up three wickets to earn a vital advantage for her side. Due to a poor batting collapse, the defending champions reached 196 for 9 from a comfortable 146 for 4.
But eventually, the English team won the contest by 1 wicket and managed to reach the target with 16 balls remaining. For New Zealand, their spinner Mackay claimed four wickets as Jess Kerr picked up two wickets. Other New Zealand bowlers- Tahuhu and Brooke Halliday scalped one wicket each.
With this win, England team secured fifth position in the World Cup standings with four points from five matches. On the other hand, New Zealand find themselves at sixth spot in the standings as they have bagged four points from six matches.
