England Finish Group Stage Unbeaten
England Women completed a flawless group-stage campaign at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a commanding nine-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand in front of a record crowd at The Oval.
Chasing 164, England reached 164/1 with 16 balls remaining thanks to a magnificent unbeaten 89 from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and an equally composed 49 not out from Sophia Dunkley. Their unbroken 128-run partnership guided the hosts to the joint-highest successful run chase in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
The victory secured England top spot in the group, while New Zealand’s defeat ended their title defence and confirmed West Indies’ place in the semi-finals.
Wyatt-Hodge Continues Record-Breaking Tournament
Wyatt-Hodge once again produced a batting masterclass, following up her unbeaten century against Sri Lanka and her match-winning innings against West Indies with another outstanding performance.
She dominated from the outset, helping England race to 31 runs in the opening three overs alongside Amy Jones. After Jones departed for a quick start, Wyatt-Hodge combined with Dunkley to take complete control of the chase.
Even a brief rain interruption failed to disrupt England’s momentum. Wyatt-Hodge reached her half-century from just 33 balls before continuing to punish the New Zealand bowlers through the covers and square of the wicket.
Her unbeaten 89 from 53 deliveries made her the highest run-scorer in a single edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, finishing the group stage with 282 runs.
New Zealand Make Bright Start
Earlier, New Zealand made a promising start after being asked to bat.
Melie Kerr and Isabella Gaze shared a 70-run opening partnership, with Kerr leading the scoring through a series of confident cuts and sweeps. Gaze also found regular boundaries as the White Ferns reached 44 without loss at the end of the powerplay.
The partnership gave New Zealand hope of posting a challenging total in a must-win match.
England Strike Back Through Gibson
England turned the game during the middle overs.
Alice Capsey removed Gaze after she miscued a lofted shot, before Dani Gibson produced a decisive spell. Gibson first bowled Kerr for 42 after the all-rounder missed an attempted scoop before dismissing Izzy Sharp two deliveries later to reduce New Zealand from 70 without loss to 70/3.
Those quick breakthroughs shifted the momentum firmly towards the hosts.
Devine Provides Late Acceleration
With New Zealand under pressure, captain Sophie Devine produced one final burst of trademark power-hitting.
She blasted three huge sixes in rapid succession during her 30 from only 14 balls and shared a 54-run partnership with Brooke Halliday to revive the innings.
However, Charlie Dean produced a superb direct-hit run-out to dismiss Halliday before Lauren Bell trapped Devine lbw two deliveries later. Suzie Bates added a useful 19 late in the innings, helping New Zealand finish on 163/6.
England March Confidently into Knockout Stage
England’s clinical chase highlighted their batting depth and confidence ahead of the semi-finals.
Wyatt-Hodge and Dunkley never allowed the required run rate to become an issue, steadily increasing the scoring rate before comfortably completing the chase.
With five wins from five matches and a record-breaking group-stage campaign behind them, England head into the knockout rounds as one of the strongest contenders for the Women’s T20 World Cup title.
