The second last game of women’s cricket debut edition at the Commonwealth Games saw England and New Zealand lock horns in the Bronze medal match. England didn’t have the best of starts and a little recovery too couldn’t help them have the desired finish and a low total comforted New Zealand who in reply chased down the total in an aggressive fashion to bag the Bronze at the Games.
1st innings : England – 110/9 (20)
New Zealand having won the toss opt to bowl first and had the start they would have wished for as Hayley Jensen in the 2nd over struck the big wickets of Danni Wyatt on 4(6) off her first ball. Hannah Rowe then in her first over picked up Alice Capsey on 5(7). Nat Sciver got going brilliantly right from ball one and with Sophia Dunkley on the other end, the pair got England to a score of 41-2 at the end of the powerplay. Sophie Devine introduced her in the attack and created an instant impact by dismissing Sciver on 27(19). Amelia Kerr’s reintroduction saw her strike Sophia Dunkley on 8(14). Amy Jones again stood up for England and was looking to stitch a partnership, but fell shorts of partners on the other as Fran Jonas struck Maia Bouchier on 4(5) to further reduce England to a score of 57-5 at the end of 10.
Katherine Brunt on 4(5) was next to depart and with Sophie Ecclestone joining Amy Jones some resistance finally came England’s way. The pair went on to stitch a crucial 37-run partnership which saw England get to the figure of 100 and then lost Ecclestone on 18(21). Hayley Jensen in the penultimate over bagged a couple dismissing Amy Jones on 26(32) and then handed a 2-ball-duck to Issy Wong. England closed out their 20 with 110 on board and New Zealand had Hayley Jensen with 3 top the wickets charts which saw Sophie Devine and Fran Jonas with their couple each follow. Hannah Rowe and Amelia Kerr with a wicket each too got on the list.
Excellent efforts from New Zealand bowlers to restrict England to just 110 Runs
New Zealand need 111 Runs to win 🥉Bronze Medal#CricketTwitter #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/wzbKmUc2vx
— Female Cricket #B2022 (@imfemalecricket) August 7, 2022
2nd innings : New Zealand – 111/2 (11.5)
Chasing a low total of 110, New Zealand were off to an absolute flyer. Roles switched as Sophie Devine was looking to play the waiting game and Suzie Bates was taking down the bowlers. Nat Sciver got herself in the attack and struck Bates on 20(10) in the fifth over and the following over saw Freya Kemp strike Plimmer on 4(6) which saw New Zealand close their powerplay overs on a score of 63-2. Amelia Kerr then joined set Sophie Devine and the pair with proactive intent set off, Sophie Devine continued on her merry way striking the ball and got New Zealand to a total of 95-2 at halfway mark.
The side got past 100 in the 11th over and the following over saw a fitting finish as Sophie Devine got to her 50 off 39 balls and then a single had New Zealand get the required 1 to seal the win and clinch the Bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. New Zealand won the contest by 8 wickets with skipper, Sophie Devine leading from the front unbeaten on 51(40) and Amelia Kerr 21*(15), the duo stitched a 35-ball-48 run partnership to seal the win for New Zealand. For England, Nat Sciver and Freya Kemp with a wicket each get on the wickets column.
New Zealand will take home the Commonwealth Games bronze medal, beating England at home#CricketTwitter #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/kjPb2RxuZG
— Female Cricket #B2022 (@imfemalecricket) August 7, 2022
England’s unbelievable run in the league stage matches saw them win 3-in-3 and on the big days, the semifinal and the Bronze medal match lost both and that again remains unbelievable. New Zealand, this has been unreal. They’ve been a side contesting well but weren’t a lot talked coming into the Games and having not had a lot of pressure has helped the side win Bronze and script history.
White Ferns have done it when no one believed they could
They beat Host nation England by 8 Wickets and 49 balls remaining.#CricketTwitter #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/NYouYnrhQ3
— Female Cricket #B2022 (@imfemalecricket) August 7, 2022