Defending champions England registered a one-wicket win over hosts New Zealand in a league stage match to keep semi-final hopes alive at the ICC Women’s World Cup here on Sunday.
Veteran middle-order batsman Maddy Greene scored an unbeaten 52 for New Zealand while captain Sophie Devine contributed 41 before England bowled out the hosts for 203 at Eden Park.
England pacer Kate Cross (3/35) and star spinner Sophie Ecclestone (3/41) shared six wickets between them, while spinner Charlie Dean (2/36), who paced the ball in a solid performance, took two. held responsible for. batsman
All-rounder Natalie Sciver (61) then opened the innings with a patient half-century, but Holder nearly snatched the defeat from the winning position, slipping from a comfortable 176 for nine in five overs.
Anya Shrubsole (7) and Charlie Dean (0), however, held their nerves to take England past the finish line for their second win of the tournament.
Based on this win, England were able to make the semi-finals as they displaced New Zealand from fifth place. India, England and New Zealand all now have 4 points.
While India and England have two matches left to play, New Zealand has one match in hand.
England’s top-order, backed by the work of their spinners, started an aggressive chase of 204, which restricted New Zealand to a modest total.
Opener Danny Wyatt fell to Jess Kerr for 12, while Tammy Beaumont (25) was clean bowled by Lee Tahuhu (1/18).
Captain Heather Knight scored 42 runs in 53 balls before Frankie McKay was leg-out in the 23rd over. Wicketkeeper Amy Jones (1) soon followed her captain.
Sciver then put on a crucial 70-run partnership with Sophie Dunkley (33) as England looked to win.
However, the New Zealand bowlers made a comeback with a flurry of wickets intensifying the pressure on England.
Before going to bat, New Zealand were heading for a massive total at one point, with Devine scoring runs at will and Amelia Kerr (24) looking confident at the crease.
However, Devine had to retire hurt in the 15th over due to a back problem and Kerr was dismissed for 24 as Charlotte Dean (2/36) became the first victim as England made a strong comeback in the middle overs.
Veteran Amy Satterthwaite (24) and Green attempted to return to the fight, but England, who have been sluggish on the field in their earlier matches, did well in that area, scoring two run outs.
Satterthwaite was trapped leg first by Dean and then the pair of Cross and Ecclestone cleaned the tail to dismiss the White Ferns in the final over of their innings.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos, IPL Auction 2022 And cricket score Here