New Zealand, led by skipper Sophie Devine, who was leading her side in her farewell game from the ODI format, were up against England, led by skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, in the first game of a rare, the only double header of the ongoing 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, to cap off the league stages of the tournament.
New Zealand retained the same side that took the field in their previous fixture. England finally handed a much-deserved opportunity to the experienced veteran Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, as she replaced Emma Lamb in the starting XI.
New Zealand throw away a strong start being bowled out for 168
Leading the New Zealand side for one final time in the format, the trailblazer, a dynamic leader and an inspiring personality around the group for her teammates and youngsters alike, Sophie Devine, won the toss and opted to bat first, at Visakhapatnam. Suzie Bates, heartbreaking run in the tournament continued, which was pretty much reflected in her dismissal. She mistimed her lofted shot down the ground, on a juicy waist-high full-toss outside off-stump. Luck smiled on Linsey Smith as she provided the first breakthrough for England.
Amelia Kerr joined Georgia Plimmer at the crease, and the duo unleashed a calculated counterattack, stitching another vital 68-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, which also took them closer to the 100-run mark. England suffered a massive injury scare to one of their trump cards, Sophie Ecclestone, as she experienced some discomfort in her left shoulder trying to save the boundary in the deep.
The absence of Sophie Ecclestone prompted the likes of Alice Capsey to roll her arm over. And it worked, as she broke the stand, by sending Amelia Kerr (35 off 43 balls) back to the pavilion in the 19th over of the innings. England bounced back by removing another set batter, Georgia Plimmer (43 off 57 balls), back to the pavilion in the 20th over of the innings, reducing them to 89/3.
Skipper Sophie Devine looked determined to settle into her innings and make it big in her final ODI innings. However, much like the case in the whole tournament, she didn’t get much support from the end. A fantastic take on an inside edge, from the wicket-keeper Amy Jones, ended the White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine’s (23 off 35 balls) stay at the crease in her final game in the format. England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt provided the 6th breakthrough for her side.
New Zealand were eventually bundled out for 168, with over 11 overs to spare. The White Ferns lost their last 7 wickets for just 79 runs. Maddy Green (18 off 19 balls), Jess Kerr (10 off 12 balls), and Isabella Gaze (14 off 24 balls) chipped in with crucial contributions with the bat for New Zealand. Linsey Smith (9.2-0-30-3), skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (7-0-31-2), Alice Capsey (6-0-34-2), and Charlie Dean (7-0-21-1) were impressive with the ball for England.
Amy Jones unbeaten half-century guides England over the line
Chasing a total of 169, the England openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones got them off to a strong start with a massive 75-run opening stand. It took an experienced veteran, Lea Tahuhu, to provide the much-needed 1st breakthrough for her side, ending Tammy Beaumont’s stay (40 off 38 balls) stay at the crease in the 15th over of the run chase.
Heather Knight joined Amy Jones at the crease, and the pair almost took them on the brink of a comprehensive victory, with a decisive 83-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, which also took them past the 150-run mark. Skipper Sophie Devine finally had something to cheer for in her final ODI appearance for her country as she got the scalp of Heather Knight (33 off 40 balls) to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side in the 28th over of the run chase.
England eventually got over the line with 8 wickets in hand and over 20 overs to spare. Amy Jones (86* off 92 balls) top-scored with the bat for England. Lea Tahuhu (4-1-9-1) and skipper Sophie Devine (4.2-0-20-1) were the only wicket-takers with the ball for New Zealand. Amelia Kerr (6-0-31-0) was impressive with the ball for her side.
Amy Jones was awarded the Player of the Match for her impressive half-century, playing a crucial role alongside the spinners to give England a confidence-boosting win, heading into the knockout stages of the tournament.
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