Another day of the tournament, another thriller. The ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2022 keeps on giving to the fans. The 19th match of the competition between New Zealand and England panned out to be an exciting affair as both teams poured in their heat to emerge victorious in a must-win clash.
Opting to bowl first, England tried to take early advantage of Eden Park's pitch but failed in their attempt to do so. However, New Zealand were off to a cautious start as their openers, Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, negated the new-ball spell of Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole.
Both the batters put an opening stand of 61 runs, but it soon came to an end at the hands of Kate Cross, who added the wicket of Bates to her tally. Soon after, Charlotte Dean struck and claimed the prized scalp of Amelia Kerr on just 24.
The hosts from thereon were never able to build a partnership as all of their batters except skipper Sophie Devine, and Maddy Green seemed in a rush. While Devine continued her decent run in the tournament and scored a valuable 41-run knock, Green remained unbeaten on 52 and took her side to a respectable total of 203 runs.
For England, bowlers fared terrifically as a combined effort from their side led to the batters chasing a meagre target. Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone took three wickets each, while Charlotte Dean dismissed two batters.
As England set out to pursue 204 runs, the target was not huge but the pressure of a die-or-die encounter always loomed over their heads. The defending champions lost two wickets in the form of Danielle Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont inside the powerplay for 53 runs.
Skipper Heather Knight alongside Natalie Sciver marched on the recovery process, but the former fell prey to Frances Mackay. Amy Ellen Jones also went cheaply and could contribute only a run to her side's total.
With the score reading 106/4, Natalie Sciver and Sophia Dunkley tried to anchor the innings. The duo went along quite well in their partnership, but as the game seemed to be tilting in their favour, New Zealand gathered another timely wicket of Dunkley for 33 runs. Unfortunately, Sciver's perseverance also came to an end as she got dismissed after batting for 108 deliveries, scoring vital 61 runs in her innings.
From 187/6 to 196/9, England were suddenly close to harrowing defeat as their tailenders went down like ninepins in the chase. However, Anya Shrubsole maintained her calm and scored vital 7 runs as she took England past the target with a wicket to spare.
With this defeat, the White Ferns have been pushed to the sixth spot on the points table with only two wins in their six matches. On the back of two consecutive victories, England have managed to keep their hopes alive in the tournament and are currently placed at the fifth spot with two wins in five games.
Brief scores:
England - 204/9 in 47.2 overs
Natalie Sciver 61 (108), Heather Knight 42 (53),
Frances Mackay 4/34
New Zealand - 203/10 in 48.5 overs
Maddy Green 52 (65), Sophie Devine 41 (48),
Kate Cross 3/35