Former champions England delivered a clinical all-round performance to thrash New Zealand by eight wickets in their final Women’s World Cup league match at Visakhapatnam on Sunday. The win propelled England to second place in the table with 11 points, just behind defending champions Australia, setting up a semi-final clash against South Africa.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!With semi-final qualification already secured, England used the game to fine-tune their strategies, particularly their spin attack. The quartet of Linsey Smith, Charlie Dean, Alice Capsey, and Sophie Ecclestone ran through the White Ferns’ batting line-up, sharing seven wickets. New Zealand, cruising at 89-1, lost Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer in successive deliveries, triggering a collapse where the last five wickets fell for just 13 runs, leaving them all out for 168 in under 39. overs — their lowest total of the tournament.
Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt lauded the team’s effort: “We wanted to put in a good performance. Really happy with that effort and we take a lot of confidence heading into the semis.” England, however, will be concerned over Ecclestone’s shoulder injury. The world’s top-ranked bowler claimed the prized wicket of Brooke Halliday before leaving the field after just four deliveries. Part-timer Sophia Dunkley stepped in with her wrist spin, complementing England’s already potent spin arsenal.The chase was never in doubt. Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones shared a 75-run opening stand, followed by an 83-run partnership between Jones and skipper Heather Knight, guiding England home with 124 balls to spare. Jones remained unbeaten on 86, marking her 16th WODI half-century with a towering six off Suzie Bates.The day also carried an emotional moment as Sophie Devine played her final WODI. Though unable to leave a mark in this match, Devine departs as New Zealand’s third-highest run-scorer (4,279) and second-highest wicket-taker (111). The teams paid tribute with a guard of honour, as Devine reflected, “I am humbled to have played for my country for 19 long years. Today’s performance was disappointing, but it’s been an incredible journey.,England now head into the knockout stage brimming with confidence, while New Zealand’s campaign ends on a reflective note after a challenging tournament.
