Womens T20 World Cup 2026

WIDE! A rather anticlimactic end! Sophia Dunkley remains unbeten on 49. Lea Tahuhu goes full but down the leg side, Dunkley fails to get bat on ball. Called a wide. England Women win by 9 wickets and knock the defending champions, New Zealand Women, out of the World Cup.

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Back of a length and outside off. Sophia Dunkley gets her hands through the shot and smashes it through covers for a boundary. She moves to 49.

Good length and around off, Sophia Dunkley shuffles across to paddle it away but gets an inside edge onto her pads.

Lea Tahuhu returns to the attack.

Another full delivery, on off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge drills it straight to mid off.

SIX! Danni Wyatt-Hodge is in a hurry now! Fuller again, on middle, angling in. Danni Wyatt-Hodge brings her wrists into play and whips it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. England Women are one big hit away from the win now.

Overpitched and on middle, Sophia Dunkley drills it down to long on for a run.

Fuller and around off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge slices it towards sweeper cover for a single.

Fuller and on middle, Danni Wyatt-Hodge shuffles across and shovels it wide of deep square leg. The fielder dives to her right to make a fine stop. Two taken. 150 up for England Women!

FOUR! Incredible batting! Pitched up and just around off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge once again opens the bat face very late and carves it to the third man fence for a boundary. She enjoyed that one and fist-bumped her partner.

Short and wide outside off, takes pace off. Sophia Dunkley hops up and throws her bat at it but misses. Dunkley has a look at the square leg umprie but gets nothing.

Short of a length and around off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge swats it towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Bangs in a good bouncer, on off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge sways away from it.

Back of a length and on off, Sophia Dunkley stabs it wide of mid off for a run.

Pitched up and around off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge lofts it to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Not a bad delivery but just class batting! Fuller delivery, outside off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge opens the bat face at the last moment and squeezes it out wide of short third for a boundary.

Sophie Devine comes back for her second over.

Drops it short, on off, Sophia Dunkley punches it to cover.

FOUR! Clever batting! Amelia Kerr pushes this through quicker, full and on middle. Sophia Dunkley gets down and across to get inside the line of it and helps it past short fine for another boundary. That brings up the 100-RUN STAND between these two batters.

Flatter, full and on off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge comes down the track to slog it away but gets an inside edge to deep mid-wicket for another run.

FOUR! Up and over! Tossed up, full and just outside off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge gets down on one knee and drags her sweep. She knows mid on is up in the circle and hits it over her for a boundary.

Flighted, full and on middle, Sophia Dunkley drills it down to long on for a run.

Floated, short and on leg Danni Wyatt-Hodge uses her feet and clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! England Women need 37 runs in 36 balls, with 9 wickets in hand and in complete control of this game. With every run here, the West Indies will also smile as a victory for the hosts here will see them through to the semis. New Zealand Women need something really special to get back in this game and stay alive in this World Cup. Amelia Kerr to bowl after the break.

Another yorker, on middle, Sophia Dunkley squeezes it out off the inner half of the bat to deep square leg and turns around for the second. She has to hurry a bit but makes her ground easily.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Sophia Dunkley tucks it with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

Flighted, full and around off, Sophia Dunkley drills it to extra cover.

Darts in another yorker, on middle, Sophia Dunkley gets her bat down to keep it out.

Floated, full and outside off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge reaches out and thumps it wide long off for a single.

Fires in a yorker, on leg, Danni Wyatt-Hodge backs away and digs it out to backward point.

Pitched up and on middle, Sophia Dunkley tucks it to the leg side.

Slower one, full and on off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge drills it to sweeper cover for a single.

In the blockhole, outside off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge jams the ball dead on the pitch.

Good length and on middle, angling in, Danni Wyatt-Hodge looks to work it away but gets a toe-end onto the pitch.

FOUR! Deft touch! Short of a length and on off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge lets the ball come to her, opens the bat face and uses the pace to steer it between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Back of a length and on leg, Sophia Dunkley shuffles across and paddles it towards short fine for a single.

England Women need 48 runs in 48 balls now. Here is Jess Kerr to bowl now.

FOUR! Clean strike! Touch fuller and on middle, Danni Wyatt-Hodge backs away, hits through the line, thumping it over the bowler's head for another boundary.

Pitched up and around off, Sophie Devine goes for the slog again but loses her shape and ends up dragging it off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket for one.

WIDE! Hard length but angling down the leg side, Sophie Devine tries to heave it away but misses. Wided again.

Goes fuller and on middle, angling in, Sophia Dunkley looks to slog it acorss the line but gets an inside edge onto her pads.

WIDE! Tries the bouncer, on middle, but too high, Sophia Dunkley lets it go. Wided.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Short of a length and around off. Sophia Dunkley makes a bit of room and cuts it away hard through point. Izzy Sharp in the deep runs to her right and puts in a desperate dive but fails to stop the boundary.

Full and on middle, Sophia Dunkley pushes it back to the bowler.

Good fielding! In the blockhole, outside off, Sophia Dunkley squeezes it out wide of short third. Nensi Patel puts in a dive to her right and stops a certain boundary.

FOUR! Top shot! This is sor again and outside off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge uses the width on offer and slaps it away wide of sweeper cover for four more runs.

Good length and on off, Sophia Dunkley pats it in front of cover for a run.

Bangs this into the pitch, just outside off, Sophia Dunkley misses out on the cut.

Pitched up and on middle, Sophia Dunkley knocks it down the pitch.

WIDE! Fuller but down the leg side, Sophia Dunkley fails to glance it away. Wided. 100 up for England Women!

Back of a length and ono ff, Sophia Dunkley looks to cut it away but misses.

FOUR! Gets it away! Short of a length and well outside off. Sophia Dunkley slashes hard at it, gets it from the toe-end of the bat as the ball beats the dive of short third and races to the fence behind.

Halfway stage reached! England Women are in control of this chase at the moment and White Ferns' hopes are fading away. Lea Tahuhu to bowl now.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR WYATT-HODGE! Another fine knock from her and she is in incredible form in this World Cup. This is quicker, full and just outside off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge throws her hands at it, gets an outside edge that races past short third for four more runs.

Fires in a yorker, on middle, Danni Wyatt-Hodge bunts it out back to the bowler.

Looped up, full and around off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge looks to loft it over covers but slices it this time. It goes up in the air but drops over the point fielder. Two taken.

FOUR! Up and over! Tossed up, full and just outside off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge gets her hands through the shot and carves it over extra covers for a boundary. That brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.

Flighted, full and on off, Sophia Dunkley gets low and drags it to long on for a run.

Floated, full and on middle, Danni Wyatt-Hodge drills it to long on for a single.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Danni Wyatt-Hodge turns it to the leg side for one.

FOUR! Nicely done! Tossed up, full and on middle, Danni Wyatt-Hodge gets down on one knee and nails the sweep it to the deep square leg fence for another boundary.

Flatter, full and on middle, Danni Wyatt-Hodge knocks it to mid on.

FOUR! Nice shot! Flighted, full and on off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge goes inside out and lofts it over extra covers for a boundary.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Danni Wyatt-Hodge fends it away.

FOUR! Lovely shot! A loopy full toss, on off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge does not miss out and drives it crisply through covers for a boundary.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and outside off, Sophia Dunkley gets the chance to free her arms and crunches it through point for a boundary.

Fuller and on off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge taps it to cover for a run.

On a length and on middle, Danni Wyatt-Hodge blocks it out.

A good bouncer now, on middle and leg, Danni Wyatt-Hodge ducks under it.

Back of a length and on middle and off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge backs away to guide it away but misses.

Bree Illing comes around the wicket, hits the length hard, on off, Danni Wyatt-Hodge looks to push it away but gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.

All set to resume! New Zealand Women players spread out from the huddle and take on the field. Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophia Dunkley will continue batting for England Women. Bree Illing to bowl after the rain break. The keeper is standing up to the stumps. Let's go...

UPDATE - 7.56 pm GMT - Good news, folks! The rain has stopped and the covers are coming off as well. We also have an official word that the game will restart at 8 pm GMT.

UPDATE - 7.44 pm GMT - The drizzle has turned into a proper shower now and the umpires call in for the covers. We can see the players walking off the field but the intensity is not that high. Hopefully, it clears up soon. Also, England Women are 17 runs ahead on DLS as the par score after 7 overs is 48.

Game stopped due to : Wet Ground Condition

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

Flighted full, at the stumps. Sophia Dunkley pushes it to the right of the bowler.

Tosses it full, just outside off. Sophia Dunkley defends from the crease.

It has started to drizzle now. A few umbrellas go up in the crowd but it is not heavy enough to stop play.

FOUR MORE! Glorious! Looped up full, around off. Dunkley charges down and smashes it through extra cover for another boundary.

Looped up full, at the stumps. Sophia Dunkley bunts it back to the bowler.

Flatter and quicker googly on off. Sophia Dunkley defends from the crease.

FOUR! That's a gift! Floated full, around off. Sophia Dunkley leans forward and drills it through the extra cover region for a cracking boundary.

DRINKS! England Women have made a brisk start, racing to 57/1 in the Powerplay. They'll look to maintain the momentum, while New Zealand Women will be eager to strike with a couple of quick wickets to keep themselves in the contest. Amelia Kerr comes into the attack next.

Slower full ball on off. Pushed toward mid off for one.

FOUR MORE! Smart batting! Short of a good length on the middle. Sophia Dunkley gets inside the line and helps it over the short fine leg fielder for a clever boundary.

Tight line and length at the stumps. Sophia Dunkley defends from the crease.

FOUR! Punished! Short of a good length and wide outside off. Sophia Dunkley likes the width and she slaps it through the point region for four runs. 50 comes up for England Women.

Pace off, short of a good length outside off. Cut away to deep cover point for one.

FOUR! Devine is greeted in style! Short and wide outside off. Asking to be hit and Danni Wyatt-Hodge cuts it through the backward point region for a boundary.

Sophie Devine comes on to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Fuller than a length, attacking the stumps. Sophia Dunkley defends from the crease. England Women are 43/1 after 5 overs.

Back of a length, outside off. Slapped through the gap at covers for a single.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Short of a good length and wide outside off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge cuts it through the gap at backward point and short third for a boundary.

Fuller than a good length at the stumps. Danni Wyatt-Hodge defends this down the pitch.

Short of a good length outside off. Dunkley cuts this to deep backward point for a single.

On a hard length on off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge taps it into the off-side and takes one.

Sophia Dunkley walks in at number 3. Lea Tahuhu comes into the attack.

OUT! TAKEN! Nensi Patel strikes! Flighted full, on off. Jones shimmies down and looks to hit it over the infield, but it comes off the toe end and goes straight to Amelia Kerr at mid off, who makes no mistake. England Women are rocked in the chase.

Darted on the middle and leg. Eased toward long on for one.

MISSED STUMPING! Fuller and quicker delivery around off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge comes down the pitch to drive but misses. A fumble from Gaze allows the batter to get back.

Full on middle and off. Jones drives to long on for one.

Full on middle. Wyatt-Hodge clips it to deep midwicket for one.

Floated up on middle. Wyatt-Hodge drives in the air over the bowler's head where it runs down towards the boundary. Green dives to her left and keeps it to two.

Full pitcher, just outside off. Jones drills this to mid off for none.

FOUR! Smashed! Fuller than a length, wide outside off. Jones gets on the front foot and creams the drive through the gap at point for another boundary.

Fuller than a length around off. Jones drives and picks out the mid off fielder.

On a hard length, just outside off. Jones defends it toward short cover.

FOUR MORE! ALL CLASS! Fuller than a length around off. Jones leans forward and times it through the gap at cover point for a lovely boundary.

FOUR! Amy Jones likes it there! Back of a length delivery on off. Jones stays back and pulls it hard toward deep mid-wicket for a crunching boundary.

Skiddy length ball, just outside off. Jones turns it toward square leg for one.

Fuller than a length on off. Jones defends this toward mid off.

On a length, around off. Tapped in front of the fielder at point for a single.

FOUR MORE! Thrashed! Fuller than a length around off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge lifts it over the cover region for a cracking boundary. She is looking in fine touch.

FOUR! Top shot! On a length, around off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge makes room and carves it through the gap at backward point for a lovely boundary.

Short of a good length on off. Jones tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Who will share the attack? Jess Kerr will start from the other end.

Fuller than a length, swings back into the middle stump line. Jones works it off the inner half toward long leg for a single. England Women are 8/0 after the opening over.

Back of a length on the middle. Danni Wyatt-Hodge tucks it toward the square leg region for one.

On a nagging length, in the channel, around off. Danni Wyatt-Hodge plays and misses.

FIVE WIDES! Back of a length delivery down the leg. Danni Wyatt-Hodge plays and misses. Gaze fails to gather it cleanly behind the stumps and it ricochets off the gloves and runs down to the ropes for five wides. Oh..wow! UltraEdge after the over shows a spike when the ball was next to the glove. It does not matter, as Gaze anyway did not catch it.

Short of a good length, jags back into the middle. Danni Wyatt-Hodge hangs back and steers it toward the short third fielder.

Back of a length around the hip. Danni Wyatt-Hodge turns it off the thigh pad toward short fine leg.

England Women are away! Short of a good length, nips back into the middle and leg. Amy Jones tucks into the on-side and takes one.

OUT! BATES IS RUN OUT! Good work from the keeper here. New Zealand Women finish on 163/6. Lauren Bell bangs in another fine bumper, on leg, Maddy Green is not expecting that and misses out on the pull shot. Suzie Bates tries to steal a bye and sets off for it. Amy Jones, the keeper, collects it and throws it underarm and hits the stumps at the batter's end. Bates puts in a dive but is still short of her crease.

Back of a length and on leg, slower again, Maddy Green pulls it away towards deep mid-wicket and turns around for the second. Bates is running to the danger end and makes her ground. A direct hit was needed there.

Pace off, good length and on off, Suzie Bates steers it to point for another run.

Lauren Bell bangs in a well-directed bouncer, around off, Suzie Bates sets up for the reverse scoop but gets taken aback and can do nothing about this one.

Misses out! A full toss, on middle, Maddy Green slogs it away but on the bounce to deep square leg for just a run.

Slower one, full and on off, Suzie Bates drags it ti to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Lauren Bell to bowl the final over. New Zealand Women will look to reach 170 here.

Flighted, full and on middle, Maddy Green heaves it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Valuable runs Darts this one, full and on off, Maddy Green gets down and across and scoops it away. It flies wide of short fine, where Lauren Bell dives to her right, but it hits her fingertips and races behind for a boundary.

Quicker, shortish and on leg, angles in a bit. Suzie Bates moves back to clip it but misses as the ball goes off her pads towards short fine. A leg is taken. There is also a shout for LBW, but turned down. However, Charlie Dean takes a review here. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that it is just clipping the leg stump on umpire's call. Not Out!

Flatter, full and on middle, Maddy Green drills it down the ground to the left of long on for anothe run.

Floated, full and on middle, Suzie Bates uses her feet and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run. 150 up for New Zealand Women!

Fires in a yorker, on off, Maddy Green jams it out to long off for a single.

Sophie Ecclestone to bowl the penultimate over.

FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries from the veteran! Good-length delivery, on middle. Suzie Bates once again moves across to acess the leg side and smacks it to the vacant deep backward square leg fence for four more runs.

FOUR! Two in two! Freya Kemp digs this into the surface, on middle and leg. Suzie Bates changes her stance early for the reverse scoop and hits it well over short third for a boundary.

FOUR! Good shot! A slower one, short of a length and around off. Suzie Bates gets down and across to get inside the line of it and scoops it over short fine for a much-needed boundary.

Pitched up and on middle, Maddy Green slogs it away to deep square leg for another run.

Fuller and around off, Suzie Bates drags it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Put down? Yes! Back of a length and around leg, Maddy Green swipes it hard and towards short fine. Sophia Dunkley dives forward with the ball dying on her but she fails to get her fingers underneath the ball. A single taken. Dunkley may have split her webbing and is going off the field.

Just short! Flighted, full and on middle, Maddy Green gets down on one knee and plays the sweep but hits it aerially. It flies towards deep square leg, where the fielder dives forward but the ball just drops it in front of her. They cross.

Flighted, full and on off, Suzie Bates steps across and drills it to long on for one.

Short again, on middle, Maddy Green works it through mid-wicket for another run.

Dragged back, on leg, Suzie Bates nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Slows it up, full and on off, holds up a bit on the surface. Suzie Bates looks to clip it away but gets a leading edge which drops just in front of short cover.

Short and on middle, Maddy Green punches it to long on for a single.

Into the surface, on off, Maddy Green heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Good length and on middle, Suzie Bates clips it to square leg for one.

Two set batters gone in the space of three balls. Suzie Bates walks out to bat now.

OUT! LBW! Lauren Bell gets a massive wicket here. She goes a bit fuller this time, on middle and off, angles it in. Sophie Devine is standing across and looks to whip it to the leg side but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is a big shout for LBW, and up goes the finger. Devine reviews but more in hope than anything here. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows three reds with the ball crashing into the middle stump. Bell cannot even look at the big screen, but she is delighted with this one. New Zealand Women slip from 124/3 to 126/5.

Back of a length and outside off, Sophie Devine reaches out and slaps it wide of sweeper cover for a brace.

Out goes Brooke Halliday, in comes Maddy Green.

OUT! HALLIDAY IS RUN OUT! A brilliant piece of fielding from the England skipper gets them the breakthrough. Lauren Bell goes full, and on off, Brooke Halliday drills it towards mid off and sets off for the run. Charlie Dean is quick to get to the ball. She gets up, takes aim and hits bullseye at the bowler's end, with Halliday not even in the frame. End of the 74-run stand.

Excellent fielding! Leg-cutter, short of a length and on middle, Brooke Halliday pulls it away towards deep square leg. It hits the pactice pitches and and skids through the fielder dives to her right to make a superb stop. Two taken.

Lauren Bell is back on.

Pushed through quicker, angles in and skids through. Sophie Devine looks to play with a straight bat but misses and gets hit on the back thigh. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.

Quicker, full and on leg, Brooke Halliday tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Fires this one, full and on middle, Sophie Devine jams it out to long on for a single.

SIX! Three sixes in the last three balls for Sophie Devine! Tossed up, full and on middle and leg. Devine sits on one knee again and smashes it over the deep square leg fence for another biggie. That brings up the 50-RUN STAND between these two batters.

Flighted, full and on leg, Brooke Halliday gets low to paddle it away but misses as the ball goes off her pads to short fine. A leg bye taken.

Floated, full and around leg, Brooke Halliday goes for the reverse sweep but fails to connect this time.

DRINKS! England Women did manage to pull things back with three quick wickets, but this partnership between Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday have shifted the momentum once again. The White Ferns will hope that these two can continue scoring like this as they know they need to get a big total. The hosts will hope that they can once again get a few wickets in clusters and put pressure back on the batting side. Here is Sophie Ecclestone to bowl after the break.

SIX! Have that, says Sophie Devine! Flatter, full and on middle, Devine gets down on one knee and slog sweeps it powerfully as the ball sails over the deep square leg fence for half a dozen more.

SIX! That is a monster hit! Charlie Dean gives this one some more air, full and on middle and leg. Sophie Devine skips down the track to get to the pitch of it and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Brooke Halliday knocks it towards mid on and sets off for the run. Sophie Ecclestone is quick to the ball and scores a direct hit at the bowler's end but Halliday has made her ground.

Tossed up, full and on off, Brooke Halliday bunts it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Gets it away! Flighted, full and around off. Brooke Halliday gets into position early for the reverse sweep and nails it past short third for a boundary. 100 up for New Zealand Women!

Floated, short and outside off, Brooke Halliday cuts it away to point.

On a length and around leg, Brooke Halliday works it through backward square leg for one more. 16 runs off the over!

FIVE WIDES! That will help the White Ferns! Danielle Gibson errs in line and serves this full and down the leg side. Brooke Halliday fails to glance it away and Amy Jones, the keeper who is standing up to the stumps also fails to stop it as the ball faces to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Hard length and outside off, Sophie Devine slaps it to sweeper cover for one.

FOUR! Easy pickings! An off-cutter, short and down the leg side, there to be put away. Sophie Devine just helps it on its way to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and on middle, Sophie Devine heaves it away wide of deep square leg. Danni Wyatt-Hodge runs to her left and slides to make a fine stop. Two taken.

Full and on leg, Brooke Halliday clips it wide of mid on for a single.

Shorter in length and around leg, Brooke Halliday flicks it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket and hustles back for the second run.

Flatter, shortish and angling into leg, Sophie Devine moves back to pull it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Quicker, short and on off, Brooke Halliday stabs it out to the off side for a quick run.

FOUR! Nice shot! Flighted, full and on middle and off, Brooke Halliday gets down on one knee, holds her shape and swipes it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Drops it short and around off, Brooke Halliday cuts it away to point.

Floated, full and on middle, Sophie Devine clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Sophie Devine drills it down the pitch. Charlie Dean tries to stop it by moving to her right but clashes with Halliday. However, she still manages to get a hand on the ball to stop it.

Pitched up and on leg, Brooke Halliday clips it away towards deep mid-wicket and turns for the second run. Halliday has to stretch out in the end as the throw comes to the keeper, but she just makes her ground. Just 4 runs and 2 wickets off the over!

On a length and on middle, Sophie Devine nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Short of a length and on middle, Brooke Halliday pulls it aerially but on the bounce to deep square leg for a run.

Double strike from Danielle Gibson. Brooke Halliday is the next batter in.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Danielle Gibson has her second in the over and England Women are right back in it. Gibson rolls her fingers to take pace off, hits the length hard and on off, gets it to nip in a bit as well. Izzy Sharp stays back in her crease and tries to punch it away but only manages to get an inside edge back onto the stumps. Sharp walks back for a duck.

Back of a length and on off, Izzy Sharp stabs it out to mid off.

Both the openers are back in the space of two balls. Izzy Sharp comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TIMEBER! Danielle Gibson strikes now and removes the dangerous Amelia Kerr. This is a good-length delivery, on off, angling in a bit. Kerr shuffles across to play the scoop but gets too far away from the line of the ball. She misses the ball completely as it goes through to rattle the stumps. 70/0 becomes 70/2 now for the White Ferns.

England Women draw first blood. Sophie Devine walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Freya Kemp gets the much-needed breakthrough! Slower ball on the full, on the leg stump line. Gaze fails to pick the slower ball and lofts it straight to the throat of Capsey at long on, who makes no mistake. Gaze departs for 28, and the 70-run opening stand between Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze comes to an end.

Pace off on a length, moves away, just outside off. Gaze plays and misses.

Slower ball on the full, on off. Gaze waits for it and lofts it just over the mid off fielder for a couple.

FOUR MORE! Whacked! Good length delivery on the middle and leg. Gaze pulls it powerfully through wide of mid on for a cracking boundary.

FOUR! Streaky, but they all count! Slower ball on a length, on off. Gaze tries to hack it across the line but gets the outside edge that flies toward the deep third region for a lucky boundary.

Freya Kemp starts with a slower, back of a length ball on off. Amelia Kerr pulls it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tosses it full, on off. Amelia Kerr shimmies down and drills this toward long off for a single.

Floated full at the stumps. Gaze makes room and lifts it over the bowler toward long off. They settle for one.

Looped up on a length, at the stumps. Gaze gets across and looks to sweep, but misses onto the pad. The ball lobs up off the pad and goes into the gloves of the keeper. Appeal from England Women for caught behind is turned down. Charlie Dean takes the review. The replay shows a flat line as the ball comes up off the arm. No bat involved. Wickets are missing on the ball tracker, and Gaze stays on.

Tosses it full, on off. Gaze charges down and lifts it over the bowler toward straightish long off. Capsey puts in the dive near the ropes and saves a couple.

Flighted full, on off. Gaze makes room and drills it to the left of the bowler. She gets a hand and the ball rolls behind her. Another dot.

Tosses it full, at the stumps. Isabella Gaze reverses it to short third.

Tosses it on a length, on off. Gaze advances and hits it hard toward long on for a single. New Zealand Women are 55/0 after 8 overs.

Floated full, around off. Isabella Gaze shimmies down and drills this to mid off.

Tad short, on off. Amelia Kerr goes back and pulls this toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Tosses it full, just outside off. Amelia Kerr advances and drills this to mid off.

Tad short, around off. Amelia Kerr goes back and pulls this toward the deep mid-wicket region for a couple.

FOUR! Charlie Dean is greeted in style! Floated full, around off. Amelia Kerr shimmies down and hammers it over mid off for a thumping hit.

Flighted full, on off. Gaze brings out the reverse sweep and finds the fielder at short third.

Very full, around off. Amelia Kerr squeezes it through the gap at point for a single.

Looped up on a length on off. Amelia Kerr eases it toward mid off.

Tad short, on off. Gaze goes back and pulls this to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up full, around off. Driven toward deep cover for one.

Flatter delivery on off. Amelia Kerr advances and defends toward short cover.

DRINKS! New Zealand Women have made a bright start, reaching 44/0 at the end of the Powerplay. Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze will now look to accelerate the scoring, while England Women will be eager to strike early and pick up a couple of wickets in the middle overs. Sophie Ecclestone comes into the attack now.

Short of a good length, around off. Gaze moves across and looks to ramp it over the keeper, but gets a thick edge toward the keeper. Amy Jones, standing up to the stumps, fails to grab the chance.

Back of a length on the middle. Amelia Kerr pulls this through square leg for one.

FOUR MORE! Cheeky and effective! Lands it on a length, on off. Amelia Kerr gets across and scoops it over the keeper toward fine leg for a clever boundary.

On a hard length, at the stumps. Amelia Kerr tucks it toward short mid-wicket.

FOUR! Top shot! On a length, just outside off. Amelia Kerr gives herself room and carves it through the gap at cover point for a lovely boundary.

Back of a length on off. Gaze pulls this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Danielle Gibson comes into the attack now.

Flighted full, just outside off. Amelia Kerr shuffles and flicks it into the gap at the deep mid-wicket region for a brace. New Zealand Women are 34/0 after 5 overs.

Tossed up full, around off. Gaze sweeps it toward deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Nicely done! A low full toss, around off. Gaze shuffles in the crease, sits low, and slog-sweeps it through the square leg region for a clever boundary.

Tossed up on the full, at the stumps. Amelia Kerr makes room and slogs this toward deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Put away! Flighted full, at the stumps. Amelia Kerr sits low and heaves it through the backward square leg region and finds the ropes in a flash.

Tossed up full, just outside off. Amelia Kerr makes room and drives it to short extra cover.

Fuller than a length on the leg. Amelia Kerr clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller than a good length on the middle. Gaze cross-bats the pull through square leg for one.

Banged in short, zips through around off. Gaze looks to pull but misses. Make it four dots in a row.

Short of a good length on the middle. Gaze forces the pull toward short mid-wicket. Three dots in a row.

Pitched full, outside off. Gaze drills it straight to mid off for none.

Fuller than a length on the leg pole. Isabella Gaze misses the flick and wears on the pad.

Flatter and quicker, on off. Gaze pulls this toward deep mid-wicket for a single. New Zealand Women are 20/0 after three overs.

FOUR! Smart batting! Fuller than a flat length, just outside off. Gaze moves across, crouches low and slogs it toward the long leg region for four runs.

Looped up on a length, on off. Amelia Kerr shimmies down and knocks it toward long on for one.

Flatter delivery, sliding into the middle. Gaze tucks it into the gap at mid-wicket for one.

Floated full, on off. Amelia Kerr slogs it toward wide of long on for one.

Flatter arm ball, slower through the air on middle. Amelia Kerr shimmies down, looks to tuck across the line but misses onto the pad.

Pitched full, on off. Amelia Kerr walks down the pitch and bunts it toward mid on for a single.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a good length, around off. Amelia Kerr stays back and carves it through the gap at backward point for another cracking boundary.

Fuller than a length, just outside off. Amelia Kerr drills it down the pitch. Bell stops it with her left foot and ricochets toward the short extra cover fielder.

FOUR! Dispatched! Back of a length on off. Amelia Kerr picks it early and whacks the pull toward the deep square leg region. One bounce and into the boundary.

Length ball on the leg. Amelia Kerr shimmies down and clips it toward deep backward square leg for a brace.

Fuller than a length outside off. Amelia Kerr drives and picks out the extra cover fielder.

Tidy start from Linsey Smith. Who will share the attack? It will be Lauren Bell from the other end.

Flatter arm ball, just outside off. Isabella Gaze stays back and chops it toward the point fielder.

New Zealand Women are away! Flighted full, on off. Amelia Kerr chips it through wide of mid on for a single.

Tossed up on a length, on off. Amelia Kerr advances and knocks it back to Smith.

Flatter arm ball, on the middle stump line. Amelia Kerr makes room and cuts it to the fielder at cover point. Three dots in a row.

Flatter delivery, sliding into off. Amelia Kerr advances and knocks it toward short cover.

Tosses it full, on off. Amelia Kerr mistimes the drive off the inner half and rolls toward short mid-wicket.

The pre-match formalities are complete, and we're all set for the live action to begin. Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze stride out to open the innings for the New Zealand Women. It will be Linsey Smith to start with the ball for England Women. Let's play...

The teams and match officials are out in the middle for the national anthems, with New Zealand’s anthem set to play first, followed by England’s. Live action will get underway shortly.

Let's hear from Sophia Dunkley - Dunkley says she absolutely loves playing at The Oval, adding that a weekend night game always has a great atmosphere. She says it feels good to contribute to the team and is pleased to make it four wins from four. Dunkley acknowledges that New Zealand are a world-class side and reigning champions who will come hard at them. She finishes by saying it promises to be a big night for everyone involved.

PITCH REPORT - Ebony Rainford-Brent says the conditions are ideal for batting, with temperatures around 30 degrees, a 72m straight boundary and short square boundaries measuring 61m and 62m. Ian Smith adds that the traditional Oval surface is hard and should play nicely, although the slight green tinge is expected to provide good carry and make deliveries around stump height difficult to negotiate early on. He is surprised New Zealand chose to bat first and believes a total of 170-180 will be needed to stay ahead in the contest.

Skipper of England Women - Charlie Dean says they were looking to bowl as they haven't had to chase, so they were looking to prepare for that. Dean informs that they are fielding the same team. Dean mentions that Nat Sciver-Brunt is recovering well and qualifying early gives the side that advantage to not risk her here.

Skipper of New Zealand Women - Amelia Kerr says the plan is to put runs on the board and later put England Women under pressure. She adds that they were previously hoping for an Ireland win, but now their qualification is in their own hands. Kerr describes it as a must-win game and another chance to perform under pressure on the world stage. She notes that two wins would significantly lift the mood in the dressing room. She concludes by saying New Zealand haven’t been at their best in the tournament so far, but today is an opportunity to deliver their strongest performance.

England Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (WK), Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Danielle Gibson, Charlie Dean (C), Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell.

New Zealand Women (Unchanged Playing XI) - Amelia Kerr (C), Isabella Gaze (WK), Izzy Sharp, Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr, Nensi Patel, Lea Tahuhu, Bree Illing.

TOSS - Dean gives the coin a flick and Kerr calls it 'Tails,' and it lands in her favor. New Zealand Women have elected to Bat first.

The two skippers are walking out in the middle. Leading England Women will once again be Charlie Dean, signaling that Nat Sciver-Brunt has still not recovered fully and won't be risked in this game and Amelia Kerr will be leading New Zealand Women. 

Shootout for the semifinal spot - Ireland's surprise and close victory over the West Indies has shifted the tournament dynamics, mathematically eliminating Sri Lanka and turning the remaining qualification race into a direct, two-horse battle between New Zealand and the West Indies. The equation is now simple for New Zealand as they control their own destiny and must win their final match in this contest to secure a place in the semifinals. Any other result, whether a defeat or a washout, will crash the White Ferns out of the tournament and send the West Indies through to the knockout stages instead. 

Can New Zealand upset the Hosts? -  England also hold the psychological advantage after defeating New Zealand in the bilateral series leading into the tournament, and the hosts will be eager to continue that dominance. For the White Ferns, this is a do-or-die encounter that demands their best performance of the competition, while they will also be keeping a close eye on results elsewhere. The toss and team news are coming up shortly. Stay tuned.

Clinical England aim to maintain momentum - England, meanwhile, have been one of the standout teams of the tournament, winning all four of their group-stage matches to book a semi-final berth. Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, and Sophia Dunkley have all made valuable contributions with the bat, while all-rounders Freya Kemp and Danielle Gibson have impressed in every department. With the ball, Sophie Ecclestone has spearheaded the spin attack effectively, backed well by Charlie Dean, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell. Having already qualified, England could opt to rotate their squad and rest a few key players ahead of the knockout stage.

White Ferns seek one last push - New Zealand's campaign has been far from convincing. Defeats to the West Indies and Sri Lanka left them on the brink before wins over Scotland and Ireland kept their qualification hopes alive. However, inconsistency has plagued the White Ferns throughout the tournament, with underwhelming bowling performances and costly fielding lapses proving expensive. In this high-pressure contest, captain Amelia Kerr will need strong support from experienced campaigners Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Jess Kerr, and Brooke Halliday if New Zealand are to keep their semi-final dreams alive.

England eye perfect group stage - Hello and welcome to our coverage of Match 28 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where England Women face New Zealand Women in a crucial Group B encounter at The Oval in London. England have already secured their place in the semi-finals, while New Zealand are in a must-win situation. Even with a victory today, the White Ferns will also need Ireland Women to defeat the West Indies Women to keep their hopes of reaching the final four alive.

... MATCH DAY ...

London calling - The 2026 Women's T20 World Cup makes its first visit to The Oval as the tournament hosts take on defending champions. England have gone four from four to secure a place in the semifinals, while New Zealand remain in contention but do not have qualification in their own hands. Before these two sides take the field, the West Indies face Ireland, and a Windies victory would seal their place in the last four, shutting the door on both New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Batting depth drives England - Danni Wyatt-Hodge has led the way with 193 runs in four innings, but valuable contributions have come from throughout the batting order despite captain Nat Sciver-Brunt missing the last two matches with a calf issue. Speaking of Sciver-Brunt, England have confirmed that the skipper is making good progress in her recovery but requires more time to complete her rehabilitation. As a result, she will also miss this clash against the White Ferns. Ecclestone and Dean deliver - Lauren Bell is yet to have the impact many expected, having had a stellar run at the Women's Premier League earlier in the year. In Sciver-Brunt's absence, Charlie Dean has led from the front, while Sophie Ecclestone has once again been among the wickets. Freya Kemp, too, has made valuable contributions with both bat and ball. Not quite at their best - More than anything, New Zealand have let themselves down in the field. Costly lapses contributed to defeats in their opening two matches before they bounced back with wins over Scotland and Ireland. Even so, the defending champions are yet to hit top gear. Their batting has lacked a standout performer. Brooke Halliday leads the run charts with 122 runs in four innings, while Izzy Sharp is the only batter to have registered a half-century. Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr have both made starts without converting them into match-defining knocks. Can the attack fire together?  The White Ferns' bowling attack has been steady rather than spectacular. Amelia Kerr has led the way, but support has been harder to come by. Against an in-form England batting line-up, New Zealand will need a more collective effort with the ball, with Kerr once again expected to play a key role through the middle overs. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - ENG - WWWWW | NZ - WWLLL. A one-sided rivalry - The history is firmly in England's favour in this rivalry. They lead the overall T20I head-to-head 34-9, while both previous meetings between the sides at the Women's T20 World Cup have also gone England's way. This will be the first time England and New Zealand meet at a Women's T20 World Cup since 2012. The two sides also met in a three-match T20I series in England in the lead-up to this tournament. The hosts clinched the series 2-1, wrapping it up with a dominant win in the decider after bowling New Zealand out for just 80. What to expect? The Oval makes its first appearance of the tournament and is traditionally one of the better batting venues in England. The surface generally offers good pace and carry, allowing batters to play through the line, while the short square boundaries mean even mishits can carry over the ropes. England are eyeing a fifth straight win and looking to carry that momentum into the semifinals. Whether the White Ferns remain in the race by the time the first ball is bowled or not, they will want to make a statement against the tournament hosts.