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England end New Zealand reign
England ended New Zealand’s defense of the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup crown with a nine-wicket win at The Oval, chasing down 164-1 in 17.2 overs after restricting New Zealand to 163-6.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge smashed 89 not out off 53 balls and Sophia Dunkley made 49 not out off 38 as England won by nine wickets with 16 balls to spare.
The match followed a last-ditch lifeline for New Zealand when Ireland defeated the West Indies by six wickets in Bristol, but New Zealand still had to topple unbeaten England to reach the semi-finals.
The defeat closed the international careers of Devine, Suzie Bates and bowler Lea Tahuhu, with the BBC describing Sophie Devine’s 30 off 14 balls as her final international appearance.
England’s victory kept them unbeaten and set up semi-final opponents to be confirmed on Sunday, with the BBC saying India or South Africa appeared most likely.
Quotes, lifeline, and exits
New Zealand’s Sophie Devine quipped, "A few of us are now half-Irish," after Ireland’s Bristol win over the West Indies, while the Riverine Herald added that New Zealand’s fate was "in our hands."
Wyatt-Hodge framed the chase as part of T20’s volatility, telling Sky Sports, "T20 cricket is a fickle game isn't it, you've got to start again every time and it's always a beauty of a pitch here at The Oval."
The BBC reported that England were already assured of top spot in Group 2 and a place in next week’s semi-finals, while New Zealand were eliminated.
The ICC said England maintained their unbeaten run at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 to knock New Zealand out of contention, and it also noted West Indies progressed to the final four despite losing to Ireland in their last group game.
Sky Sports said the win sent England to play Australia or India in the semi-finals at The Oval on Tuesday or Thursday, with Wyatt-Hodge and Dunkley’s unbroken 128-run stand coming in front of 21,018 spectators.
What comes next
With England racing into the semi-finals after their nine-wicket win at The Oval, the BBC said their semi-final opponents would be confirmed on Sunday, with India or South Africa appearing most likely.
The ICC described Group B’s conclusion as England maintaining their unbeaten run to knock New Zealand out of contention, while West Indies progressed to the final four despite losing to Ireland in their last group game.
The BBC added that the semi-final match would take place on Tuesday afternoon or Thursday evening back at The Oval, and that England would return to Lord’s for the final on Sunday for a chance to win their first World Cup since 2017.
In a separate tournament planning update, ucvradio.pe said England announced a provisional squad for the next Copa del Mundo T20 2026 in India y Sri Lanka in febrero y marzo, with Harry Brook named captain and England placed in Grupo C with Indias Occidentales, Italia y Bangladesh.
That same ucvradio.pe update said Jofra Archer would miss the Sri Lanka tour but was included in the T20 World Cup squad while recovering from the injury suffered during the Ashes, and it listed England’s provisional World Cup squad including Josh Tongue, Jos Buttler, and Adil Rashid.
