Danni Wyatt-Hodge Helps England Eliminate New Zealand From Women’s T20 World Cup

England sent New Zealand home from the Women’s T20 World Cup at The Oval on Saturday night, winning by nine wickets after restricting the White Ferns to 163/6 and chasing down the target in 17.2 overs.

“England danced home by nine wickets”

The Guardian

Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophia Dunkley powered the chase with an unbroken 128-run partnership, with Wyatt-Hodge making 89 not out and Dunkley finishing 49 not out as England reached 164/1.

BBC

The crowd of 21,018 at The Oval was a record for a Women’s T20 World Cup group-stage match, and England’s fifth win from five matches left them top of Group B.

New Zealand’s title defence ended in disappointment after a collapse from 70 without loss to 70 for three in the space of four balls, before the loss of both Brooke Halliday and Sophie Devine in the 16th over slowed them further.

England’s dominance also meant West Indies qualified for the semi-finals at New Zealand’s expense, with West Indies progressing despite losing to Ireland in their last group game.

England head coach Charlotte Edwards said the performance was “really pleasing” because it came “on the ground where we are going to play a semi-final,” and she added that England were “one game away from a Lord’s final, which has always been the goal.”

Edwards also told the BBC Test Match Special that England were “never been more confident” going into the semi-final after making it five wins from five at the T20 World Cup.

EDP24

New Zealand captain Melie Kerr said the result left her with “a disappointing campaign for us,” adding that she looked back to “our first two games – catches win matches and unfortunately we couldn’t hold onto them.”

Kerr said New Zealand were “outplayed tonight,” and the Guardian described how the White Ferns’ celebrations of their fate being “in their own hands” at the Oval did not last long.

The match also marked the end of New Zealand’s international careers for Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu, with the Guardian noting Devine, Bates and Tahuhu had announced their intention to retire immediately after this World Cup.

England’s semi-final opponents were still undecided after Group B concluded, with Edwards saying the likely opposition would be either India or South Africa, and the BBC reported England would not find out their semi-final opponents until Group One concluded on Sunday.

“They also do not know whether they will play on Tuesday at 14:30 BST or Thursday at 18:30 BST.”

BBC

The BBC also said England did not know whether they would play on Tuesday at 14:30 BST or Thursday at 18:30 BST, with Tuesday arranged to suit Indian TV and England playing on Thursday if anyone but India finished second in Group One.

Sky Sports reported that England will play Australia or India in the semi-finals at The Oval on Tuesday or Thursday, and it framed the win as sending defending champions New Zealand home after England made it five wins from five in the group stage.

For New Zealand, the Guardian described a crushing end to their title defence, while the ICC noted they had clawed back after losing their first two matches with wins over Ireland and Scotland to stay in semi-final contention.

Beyond the immediate knockout, the BBC said England’s goal was to win the group and go through unbeaten, and it pointed to their “batting has been particularly powerful” as they entered the business end of the tournament.