England Women vs New Zealand Women | ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, 2025 | Match 27

That brings the curtain down on the illustrious WODI career of Sophie Devine. Not the way she would have wanted to go but such is life. New Zealand Women were already eliminated even before this match began, so the result was never a concern, but they are always known as a side which fights till the end, something they could not do in this game or, let's be honest, in any match of this competition. They shift their focus to rebuilding their ODI side now. As far as England are concerned, they did not start the match well, but it does not matter how you start. What matters is how you finish and they sealed the deal pretty neatly. They would be high on confidence ahead of their semifinal clash against South Africa on Wednesday, 29th October, 2025, but will be sweating on Sophie Ecclestone's fitness. We are done from Visakhapatnam but not done for the day yet. Almost as if the weather gods wanted the fans to watch both the matches from start to finish, the last league game between India Women and Bangladesh Women has just about begun, with the contest trimmed to a 43-over-per-side one. Do hop on to the other matchcentre to catch all the action. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The victorious skipper of England, NAT SCIVER-BRUNT, expresses satisfaction with her team's win, saying they were looking to deliver a strong performance after the defeat against Australia and are glad to have done so. Reflecting on their previous loss to Australia, Sciver-Brunt notes that they needed to be more proactive in the middle phase and come up with fresh ideas, which they successfully implemented in this match. Regarding Sophie Ecclestone's injury, Nat mentions that the decision was made to err on the side of caution ahead of the semi-final, and the full extent of the injury is yet to be determined. On giving the ball to Sophia Dunkley, NSB says that she had already decided to give her the ball, although cheekily adds that Danni Wyatt-Hodge kept on asking her to be given a chance to bowl. Ends by praising Amy Jones for setting the platform for the chase with a solid opening stand and feels that Jones staying unbeaten is a confidence England will take into the semis.

The captain of New Zealand Women, SOPHIE DEVINE, is now up for a long chat. Honestly calls this a disappointing performance. Adds that she really wanted to go out on a high and admits that this game's performance was nowhere like that. Credits England for sticking through. Also says that her team did not want to go out this way but unfortunately, things move on. On the talk in the dressing room for this game, Devine says that it was all about confidence, like how they won the T20 World Cup last year. Stresses that the players need to believe that they can beat any team. Is confident that the future looks bright for the New Zealand side and it is all about the self belief of the players that their best is good enough. On her view about her last WODI, Sophie cheekily says that she probably didn't cry as much as she thought she would. But feels great to play for 19 years for her country with her mates. Stresses that it was never about the result of this match. It was always about playing one last game with her mates. Feels humbled to be having a career so long. On her other mates' future - Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu - SD says that she has no idea. Says that the duo has shut shop for now on her but adds that it is completely their decision to make. Also says that they can go on and on and feels lucky to call them her best mates. On the lessons she learnt from the sport and what advice she would give to youngsters, Sophie Devine calls it incredible to see where the Women's game has got to now, from when she started. Just hopes that the game can continue to go along and calls these hugely exciting times. Adds that sports teaches you a lot but for her, despite getting judged by results, spending time with her mates and playing so many games meant a lot more. To the youngsters, Devine says that cricket is always going to be a bumpy ride, with plenty of ups and downs, so just wants them to enjoy the game. Thanks everyone who has come here and even her support staff, media and also oppositions against whom she has played all around the world. Ends by saying that she is humbled to have played the game.

England Women's AMY JONES HAS BEEN AWARDED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for her swashbuckling unbeaten 86 (92) to go with a catch and run out as well. Jones reflects on England's journey, stating that although their start was tough and frustrating at times, she's delighted they were able to overcome it. Amy expresses her excitement about reaching the semi-finals, highlighting that rebounding from a poor performance has given them a significant confidence boost. She also takes a moment to praise the retiring Sophie Devine, describing her as a legend of the game and acknowledging her profound impact on New Zealand cricket and women's cricket overall.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the day, after electing to bat, New Zealand Women failed to make the most of the toss, conditions and platform. They chose to bat on a sluggish deck, reached to 89/1, but then things fell away badly. What looked like 250 for sure around the 18-over mark, came down crumbling to a paltry 168. After the fine 68-run stand between Georgia Plimmer and Amelia Kerr, the other batters just could not get themselves going, despite England Women not being at their best and even a bowler short, with Sophie Ecclestone walking off the field bowling just 4 balls. But the others stepped up, with Linsey Smith shining with a 3-wicket haul. Please stay tuned for the presentation.

New Zealand Women could never find a way through England's batting, struggling to pick up breakthroughs. There was hardly any moment where the ball even beat the bat consistently. No bowler could keep the scoreboard tied for too long, allowing singles and boundaries to be scored freely.

169 never really posed a challenge to England Women even though the pitch seemed to have indifferent bounce. The new balls were the key and a wicketless Powerplay set things up perfectly for the chasing side. Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont laid the platform with a 75-run stand and the Kiwis could never really come back. Jones stood till the end, making a fine 86, reaching her highest score in Women's ODI World Cups. Heather Knight helped herself to a good knock but one might have thought that Nat Sciver-Brunt would experiment with her middle order, just to give the out-of-touch batters some more time in the middle.

Heartening scenes in Visakhapatnam. Both the teams have decided to give a farewell to the evergreen legend, SOPHIE DEVINE, who cannot hide her blush. She refused it earlier in the game, when she walked out to bat, but cannot refuse it now. Each and every cricketer from both teams gives her a guard of honour and one thinks that there was a tear seen in the legend's eyes. Not the way she would have wanted to end her WODI campaign, with her side bowing out with just 1 win in the tournament. It also marks their 7th successive defeat to England Women in ODI World Cups, with their last win over England in the tournament history coming way back in 2005. It is also New Zealand's biggest defeat to England in Women's ODI World Cups in terms of wickets. Really sad memories for The White Ferns but that takes nothing away from Sophie Devine. Take a bow, M'am.

So we might have one more over from the retiring legend. This should be the final over of the match irrespective.