New Zealand, led by skipper Tash Wakelin, defeated the United States of America by 18 runs from group 2 in the 1st encounter of the Super Six stages of the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025. South Africa led by skipper Kayla Reyneke defeated Ireland by 7 wickets in the 3rd game of the group and the 2nd game of the group between England and Nigeria was washed out without a ball being bowled.
On the 10th day of the competition in Malaysia, the race for the semi-final spot was intense as we inch closer to the business end of the tournament. England led by skipper Abi Norgrove faced New Zealand led by skipper Tash Wakelin at Borneo Cricket Ground, Kuching in the 4th game of the group and the 33rd game of the ongoing edition of the tournament.

England made a couple of changes, Charlotte Stubbs replaced Erin Thomas and Eve O’Neill replaced Grace Thompson in the playing 11. The White Ferns, on the other hand, made one change, with Ayaan Lambat replacing Anika Tauwhare.
The New Zealand openers Kate Irwin (35 off 26 balls) and Emma McLeod (18 off 31 balls) got their side off to a positive start with a 49-run opening partnership after the England skipper Abi Norgrove won the toss and inserted them to bat first. Trudy Johnson broke the dangerous stand by removing Kate Irwin to provide the first breakthrough for England. They were the only batters to enter the double digits with the bat for New Zealand. It was also the highest partnership of the innings for the White Ferns.
In a dramatic turn, the White Ferns were bundled out for 89 in their quota of 20 overs, losing their last nine wickets for just 50 runs. Tilly Corteen-Coleman (4-0-8-4), Prisha Thanawala (4-1-19-3), Trudy Johnson (3-0-7-2), and Phoebe Brett (4-0-16-1) were the stand-out performers with the ball for England.
Chasing a target of 90, the English openers Jemima Spence (29 off 18 balls) and Davina Perrin (21 off 15 balls) came out all guns blazing, scoring at a rate of over 11 runs an over. Sophie Court picked up the big wicket of Davina Perrin in the 4th over of the run chase to provide the first breakthrough for New Zealand. The bowlers made the English batters work hard for each run before they got over the line with 6 wickets in hand and 50 balls to spare.
Charlotte Stubbs (17* off 15 balls) played a critical hand to guide her side over the line in the chase. Rishika Jaswal (3.4-0-22-2), Hannah Francis (2-1-6-1), and Sophie Court (2-0-14-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for New Zealand.
Tilly Corteen-Coleman was awarded the Player of the Match for her outstanding spell of 4-0-8-4 with the ball for her side. She played a crucial role in helping her side seal the 2nd spot for the Semi-final in Group 2 alongside South Africa.

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