Where is the New Zealand Womens cricket heading to? They even ended up below Sri Lanka in Womens World Cup 2025 after the English lassies outplayed the White Ferns by 8 wickets with 20.4 overs to spare.
Batting first, the failure of Susie Bates, in this World Cup, definitely had its toll in the Kiwis Batting lineup.
Susie Bates was a great servant of New Zealand cricket, but I guess she overplayed her presence in the Kiwi team by representing New Zealand at the age of 38.
Her batting records in this World Cup confirm that it’s time to throw in the towel .
Sophie Divine will retire shortly. Despite her age, she was the leading run scorer for New Zealand with 289 runs , at an average of 57.80 , but a low strike rate of 85.25 , her century against Australia in their first game was a breath of fresh air.
Before we dive into the match report, let me state that 35 year old seamer Lea Tahhu is still nursing the knee injury but ended her campaign as the leading wicket taker for New Zealand with 10 wickets , an economy rate of 4.60, but she too is aging.
New Zealand must look for fresh legs in the park. Susie Bates, Sophia Divine, and Lea Thhuhu are now over the top , hence, with the immense talent available in New Zealand , young faces are the only way out.
Remember, the Kiwis only beat Bangladesh, lost to South Africa, Australia, India ,and England, saved by the bell against Sri Lanka due to rain. Whilst the game against Pakistan also dented their hopes due to a wash out.
Let’s now dive into our match report. The Kiwis were bowled out for 168 in 38.2 overs .when analysing their batting display, the Kiwis lost wickets at regular intervals. Only Georgia Plimmer and Amilia Kerr looked comfortable against England’s seam and spin. To be bowled out for 168 in 38.2 overs is an indication of their batting woes.
England bowlers had a field day. Lindsay Smith was unplayable 3 for 30 , Nat Sciver Brunt with her seam took 2 for 3, Alice Capsey with her off break scalped 2 for 34 , whilst off spinner Charlie Dean helped herself with a scalp for 21. Laura Bell was expensive by her standards she conceeded 35 runs in her 6 overs.
Sophie Eccleston injured her left shoulder whilst diving in the deep to grasp a catch. She left the field for treatment and came back , bowled 4 deliveries, and scalped the wicket of Brook Haliday .
If she was fit, New Zealand batters in hindsight would have faced another challenge coping with her left arm high arm orthodox left arm spin.
169 as a target given the batting conditions was a walk in the park for the English batters.
Amy Jones made an unbeaten 86 with 11 boundaries and a big six whilst Tammy Beaumont made 40 off a run a ball, Heather Knight joined the party at the fall of Tammy Beaumont’s wicket with the score on 75 in 14.2 overs, she made 33 in 40 deliveries with 3 boundaries and 1 maximum, by batting the Kiwis out of the game joining Ammy Jones, and the pair were within striking distance of 158 , just short of 10 runs with 8 wickets in hand with almost 23 overs in the bank.
The above equation proves the one-sided game and England’s domination.
Main scores
New Zealand 168 all out in 38.2 overs.
Georgia Plimmer 43
Amelia Kerr 35
Sophie Divine 23
Lindsay Smith 3 for 30
Nat Sciver Brunt 2 for 31
Alice Capsey 2 for 34
Charlie Dean 1 for 21.
England 172 for 2 in 29.2 overs.
Amy Jones 86 unbeaten
Tammy Beaumont 40
Heather Knight 33
Sophie Divine 1 for 20
Lea Thhuhu 1 for 9