England Women vs New Zealand Women, 27th Match - Live Cricket Score, Commentary
Start Time
11:00 AM
5:30 AMGMT
11:00 AMLOCAL
New Zealand Women opt to bat
Pitch report - Ian Bishop and Stacy Ann King: Down the ground it is 67 metres. 55 and 57m square boundaries. The surface has been excellent for batting here, but as we examine the pitch closer. It's hard and dry, batters will have to apply themselves, and spin might be a dangerous phase during the middle overs.
Teams:
England Women (Playing XI): Amy Jones(w), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Sophia Dunkley, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
New Zealand Women (Playing XI): Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson
Sciver-Brunt: We wanted to bat as well, looks a dry wicket. We got one change. Emma Lamb is out and Danni comes in for her
Devine: We gonna bat first, looks like a great wicket today. Same team for us. We played well in patches and with the ball we have been good in phases, hopefully we can put those pieces together today. Just want to out there, enjoy and play with a smile on my face. It's been a real honour.
New Zealand Women have won the toss and have opted to bat
10:28 local: The weather looks perfectly fine and we are just minutes away from the toss, stay tuned...
As for England, they would be deeply hurt after a crushing loss to their arch-rivals Australia in their last game. In fairness, they had only 2 convincing wins this tournament and they would love to put up a solid show today before the all-important semi-final against South Africa in Guwahati on Wednesday. Dunkley has looked out of sorts this tournament, and there might be a temptation to bring in the experienced Dani Wyatt-Hodge into this contest. They have been reluctant to change their combination and would be interesting to see if they think of any experiments today.
The defending champions of the T20 World Cup, New Zealand, didn't quite have the tournament they would have liked, but a couple of crucial games (vs SL & PAK) - marred by rain - didn't help their cause either. An extra reason for them, however, stay motivated for this contest would be - this could possibly be the last World Cup game for the trio of Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu. There's enough talent in the young group to turn tables around for the next edition, but can they put up a collective effort and finish on a high today?
10:10 local: It's the last day of the league stage, and we have a double-header in store today. Unfortunately, the results of both these games will have no significance for the knock-outs, but 3 teams that are in contention for the semis will be in action. First up, England lock horns with New Zealand in Vizag, followed by India taking on the last-placed Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai. Hello and a warm welcome, let's hope we have a thriller on our hands....
Preview
England are set to face New Zealand as a warm up to their semifinal preparations in their last league game of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. While for all practical purposes, it might be a dead rubber like the second contest of the day, New Zealand would like to end their rain-marred campaign with a win. Most importantly for the fact that it could well be the last 50-over World Cup for possibly three of their legendary cricketers. The farewell match for their captain, Sophie Devine, for certain.
After a stuttered start to their campaign, where Devine showed evidence of her batting might, New Zealand couldn't capitalise on the fixtures in Colombo - due to rain. She has largely failed to find support from the rest of the batting unit.
'Four years of preparation' may have gone to dust sooner than they would've liked, but despite the dejection, there would be enough impetus for them to make their presence felt in the competition. However, their opponents are unlikely to make it any easier for them.
England may have qualified for the semis, with a strong start to the campaign, but they have stuttered a bit thereafter. Rain helped them escape a shock defeat against Pakistan, and they held their nerves only to eke out a hard-fought 4-run win against India followed by a hammering against Australia.
Even though there have been sparks of dominance, they can ill afford to showcase that inconsistency in the knockouts. In their final stretch of the competition, they desperately need to find the best version of themselves, and an inconsequential game could well be that platform for them to play freely.
In Visakhapatnam, it's expected to be a tight contest between bat and ball, where every contest except the one involving Australia, have produced middling scores. As a pacer or batter, there may not be much in it for Devine, but like she has done throughout her career, she is never going to leave the field without a fight.
When: Sunday, October 26, 2025, 11:00 AM IST
Where: ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
What to expect: Barring a few innings, run scoring hasn't been the easiest at the venue. There will be some assistance for the spinners and conditions are likely to be humid, with possibility of light rain.
Team News:
New Zealand: There could be a possibility that New Zealand might offer some game time to players who have largely spent time on the bench.
Probable XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Izzy Gaze, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson
England: England may not want to shuffle too much with their combination, hoping all their players find form ahead of the knockouts. However, Emma Lamb's poor run of scores could tempt the English to offer an opportunity to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who has historically performed well in Indian conditions.
Probable XI: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, Nat-Sciver Brunt, Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Eccelstone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
Did you know?
- New Zealand spinners have picked just 10 wickets in six games - the least by a team in this tournament and their average (51.2) and strike rate (61.0) are the worst among all the teams.
- England only dropped five catches so far this season - the least among all the teams. Their catch efficiency of 82.1 is the best by any side in this tournament
- Suzie Bates is 66 runs away from becoming the second-leading run-scorer in ODIs. She needs 74 runs to complete 6000 runs in the format
- Sophie Ecclestone is two wickets away from becoming England's second-leading wicket-taker in ODIs
What they said: "We always knew that Soph and potentially Suzie soon, and Lea - girls like that are going to move on. So, a conscious decision was made a couple of years ago to really look at some younger players and to I guess stick by them and keep faith in them. And I think you're seeing that" - Ben Sawyer, New Zealand head coach
"One of my earliest memories is probably her (Sophie Devine) sledging me in a game in the West Indies. Thankfully we came out on the winning side that day, but certainly got me fired up and made me aware of what a character she is. But what an amazing player she's been for New Zealand, and particularly how she's led the team over the last few years. I think hopefully she'll be really proud of what she's done in an international shirt" - Tammy Beaumont, England batter on her battles with Sophie Devine
England are set to face New Zealand as a warm up to their semifinal preparations in their last league game of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025. While for all practical purposes, it might be a dead rubber like the second contest of the day, New Zealand would like to end their rain-marred campaign with a win. Most importantly for the fact that it could well be the last 50-over World Cup for possibly three of their legendary cricketers. The farewell match for their captain, Sophie Devine, for certain.
After a stuttered start to their campaign, where Devine showed evidence of her batting might, New Zealand couldn't capitalise on the fixtures in Colombo - due to rain. She has largely failed to find support from the rest of the batting unit.
'Four years of preparation' may have gone to dust sooner than they would've liked, but despite the dejection, there would be enough impetus for them to make their presence felt in the competition. However, their opponents are unlikely to make it any easier for them.
England may have qualified for the semis, with a strong start to the campaign, but they have stuttered a bit thereafter. Rain helped them escape a shock defeat against Pakistan, and they held their nerves only to eke out a hard-fought 4-run win against India followed by a hammering against Australia.
Even though there have been sparks of dominance, they can ill afford to showcase that inconsistency in the knockouts. In their final stretch of the competition, they desperately need to find the best version of themselves, and an inconsequential game could well be that platform for them to play freely.
In Visakhapatnam, it's expected to be a tight contest between bat and ball, where every contest except the one involving Australia, have produced middling scores. As a pacer or batter, there may not be much in it for Devine, but like she has done throughout her career, she is never going to leave the field without a fight.
When: Sunday, October 26, 2025, 11:00 AM IST
Where: ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
What to expect: Barring a few innings, run scoring hasn't been the easiest at the venue. There will be some assistance for the spinners and conditions are likely to be humid, with possibility of light rain.
Team News:
New Zealand: There could be a possibility that New Zealand might offer some game time to players who have largely spent time on the bench.
Probable XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Izzy Gaze, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson
England: England may not want to shuffle too much with their combination, hoping all their players find form ahead of the knockouts. However, Emma Lamb's poor run of scores could tempt the English to offer an opportunity to Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who has historically performed well in Indian conditions.
Probable XI: Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones, Nat-Sciver Brunt, Heather Knight, Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Eccelstone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
Did you know?
- New Zealand spinners have picked just 10 wickets in six games - the least by a team in this tournament and their average (51.2) and strike rate (61.0) are the worst among all the teams.
- England only dropped five catches so far this season - the least among all the teams. Their catch efficiency of 82.1 is the best by any side in this tournament
- Suzie Bates is 66 runs away from becoming the second-leading run-scorer in ODIs. She needs 74 runs to complete 6000 runs in the format
- Sophie Ecclestone is two wickets away from becoming England's second-leading wicket-taker in ODIs
What they said: "We always knew that Soph and potentially Suzie soon, and Lea - girls like that are going to move on. So, a conscious decision was made a couple of years ago to really look at some younger players and to I guess stick by them and keep faith in them. And I think you're seeing that" - Ben Sawyer, New Zealand head coach
"One of my earliest memories is probably her (Sophie Devine) sledging me in a game in the West Indies. Thankfully we came out on the winning side that day, but certainly got me fired up and made me aware of what a character she is. But what an amazing player she's been for New Zealand, and particularly how she's led the team over the last few years. I think hopefully she'll be really proud of what she's done in an international shirt" - Tammy Beaumont, England batter on her battles with Sophie Devine
Squads:
New Zealand Women Squad: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, Hannah Rowe, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James
England Women Squad: Amy Jones(w), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Sarah Glenn, Em Arlott, Lauren Filer
