After a fierce start from Katherine Brunt propelled England to a crushing victory over New Zealand by 7 wickets in their final group stage match at Edgbaston, they will face India in the Commonwealth Games semifinals.
With Brunt, Issy Wong, and Sarah Glenn each taking two wickets, New Zealand was reduced to their third-lowest T20I total and will now play gold medal favorites Australia in Saturday’s other semi-final.
Alice Capsey top-scored for England for the third straight game as the hosts overcame a small target with 50 balls to spare, giving the 10,892-strong crowd a heartwarming home victory despite playing without Heather Knight, their captain, who was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a hip injury that will take some time to heal.
Early on in the match, Brunt delivered a superb off-cutter that sent Sophie Devine’s leg stump flying, giving England the perfect start. As Amelia Kerr attempted to heave over the leg side and nicked the top of the middle stump in what turned out to be a wicket maiden, Brunt removed Kerr with equally excellent delivery in her second over, giving her a total of 2 for 2 from as many overs. She finished the game with two for four from three innings.
Soon after Wong came in the middle, Suzie Bates, now New Zealand’s greatest hope, took out Nat Sciver at midwicket. Wong then struck with her fourth delivery. The White Ferns were suddenly 12 for 3, and by the time the powerplay was over, they had only been able to increase their lead to 21 for 3.
When Hayley Jensen chipped to Danni Wyatt at point, Wong scored her second run, leaving New Zealand 35 for 5 with five overs remaining. Before 10th-wicket pair Hannah Rowe and Fran Jonas were able to bat out the 20 overs, spinners Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn had England on the verge of batting their opposition out.
When Wyatt skied the final ball of the first over, bowled by Jonas, towards midwicket and keeper Isabella Gaze sprinted into the opening to collect the catch, England’s run chase faltered.
Capsey, a 17-year-old who England always bats at No. 3 after they lose a wicket during the powerplay and who has scored 117 runs during the Games, second only to Bates overall, set out to lead the pursuit once more.
New Zealand’s problems were made worse when captain Devine joined the attack but was later found to have overstepped when she had Capsey well caught by Rowe on the ramp. However, the damage was little when Capsey didn’t add to her 19-ball 23 when she chipped Kerr to Devine at mid-off in the following over.
After being bowled for 19 by a Kerr googly, Sophia Dunkley has yet to reach the 20-run mark in this tournament. However, Jones, helped by Sciver, quickly reached the target by hitting four boundaries to lead their team to victory in just 12 overs.
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