England's spinners delivered a superb performance to help the team secure a dominating eight-wicket win over already-eliminated New Zealand in their final group match of the Women's World Cup on October 26. For New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, playing her final ODI, there was no fairytale ending, her side was bundled out for a tournament-low of just 168 runs in 38.2 overs after opting to bat first. Although the White Ferns were already eliminated from the ICC showpiece, the victory proved crucial for England, allowing them to leap to the No. 2 spot on the group table with 11 points, trailing only the leaders, Australia (13).
England crush New Zealand by 8 wickets
England's march to victory was facilitated by their spinners, who completely dominated the middle overs even without their talisman, Sophie Ecclestone, who injured her shoulder while fielding. Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 30 from 9.2 overs, brilliantly supported by off-spinner Alice Capsey (2/34). Charlie Dean and the injured Ecclestone (who bowled just four balls) chipped in with one wicket each, while seamer Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/31) also claimed two wickets as New Zealand's innings collapsed.
The comprehensive chase, which England completed in just 29.2 overs, will be a significant confidence boost ahead of their semifinal clash against South Africa on Wednesday. A higher group finish is important, as it could prove decisive in the event of a washout in Guwahati.
As per the tournament playing conditions, teams with more wins will progress to the next round in the event of an abandonment due to rain, highlighting the importance of England's victory.
Jones-inspired England's dominating chase
England's pursuit of the small target was never seriously threatened, particularly after the powerful 75-run opening stand between Beaumont and Jones. They looked completely in command from the very start, racing to 75 for no loss inside 15 overs and laying a rock-solid foundation. This partnership was their fourth 50-run opening stand in the World Cup and marked England's highest first-wicket stand of the tournament.
Beaumont, who elegantly mixed drives with deft placements, contributed 40 runs off 38 balls (seven fours) before being dismissed lbw by Lea Tahuhu after an unsuccessful review. By the time of her dismissal, England's required run rate had plummeted to under three runs per over, with just 90 runs needed from the remaining 35 overs.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jones, whose form had been inconsistent earlier in the tournament, found her rhythm exactly when England needed it. She anchored the chase with an unbeaten 86 off 92 balls (11x4, 1x6), stroking the ball confidently through the gaps and rotating the strike seamlessly.
Heather Knight joined Jones in the middle, and the pair stitched together a fluent 83-run stand off 75 balls for the second wicket, virtually sealing England's victory with 124 balls to spare. Just as the duo looked set to take England across the line, Knight became the final ODI wicket of the retiring Sophie Devine's career, trapped leg-before by the New Zealand skipper.
Devine, who finished with 1/20 with the ball, received a heartfelt embrace from her teammates. She walked off to applause from both teammates and spectators—a fitting send-off for one of the modern greats of the women’s game, concluding her 159-match career with 4,279 runs at an average of 32.66 and nine hundreds.
In her farewell appearance, Devine played a tame innings, contributing just 23 runs off 35 balls. At the very top, fellow White Ferns veteran Suzie Bates saw her poor run of form continue as she gifted her wicket away on a waist-high full toss.
Following Bates' early dismissal, Georgia Plimmer injected much-needed energy into the innings, aggressively taking on the English attack with a flurry of boundaries. The 21-year-old struck seven fours in an entertaining 43 off 57 balls, adding a crucial 68 runs off 82 balls for the second wicket alongside Amelia Kerr. However, England hit back strongly when Capsey removed the well-set Kerr for 35 (43 balls, 5x4). The momentum stalled completely as Dean then trapped Plimmer plumb in front on the very first ball of the next over, causing the New Zealand innings to completely fall flat.
Devine, who had approached her final ODI with composure after an impressive World Cup campaign (which included a century against Australia and successive fifties against South Africa and Bangladesh), then tried in vain to steady the struggling innings. England faced an injury scare when Sophie Ecclestone hurt her left shoulder, but she briefly returned to bowl, striking with her fourth delivery to dismiss Brooke Halliday. Despite taking the wicket, Ecclestone left the field again and took no further part in the innings.