England’s women’s cricket team delivered a clinical and emotionally charged performance to defeat New Zealand by eight wickets in Visakhapatnam on October 26, 2025, sealing second place in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup group stage and booking a semi-final clash with South Africa. The match was not only a statement of England’s growing confidence but also marked the end of an era as New Zealand’s iconic captain, Sophie Devine, played her final One-Day International.
From the outset, England’s intent was clear. After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat on a surface that looked promising but soon revealed its slow, tricky nature. England’s bowlers, especially their spinners, quickly adapted. Linsey Smith was the pick of the attack, grabbing 3 for 30, while Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, and Alice Capsey all chipped in to ensure New Zealand never settled. The Kiwis were bundled out for just 168 in 38.2 overs, a total that looked below par in the context of the tournament.
Georgia Plimmer offered some resistance with a composed 43, and Amelia Kerr added 35, but wickets tumbled regularly after their 68-run partnership. England’s spinners accounted for seven of the ten wickets, a feat made more impressive by the early injury to Sophie Ecclestone, the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler. Ecclestone, chasing a ball to the boundary, jarred her left shoulder in a heavy fall and left the field visibly in pain. She returned briefly to bowl, taking the wicket of Brooke Halliday, but was withdrawn as a precaution. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt later told Sky Sports, “I don’t know anything further, but it (Ecclestone’s departure) was definitely precautionary. We’ve got a huge match coming up against South Africa. We wouldn’t want to risk anything now and we’ll know more in a few days.”
Despite Ecclestone’s absence, England’s bowling depth shone. Amy Jones, reflecting on the team’s performance, was full of praise: “Really happy with the whole team’s performance. I thought New Zealand got off to a decent start, I thought we pulled it back brilliantly and to restrict them to that total, was obviously key in the game. Then to have that partnership with Tam (Tammy Beaumont) and another one with Heath (Heather Knight), it felt like a fairly clinical performance overall, and we’re really pleased with that.”
England’s reply was as commanding as their bowling. Openers Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont set a strong platform, racing to 75 runs in just 15 overs. Beaumont’s quickfire 40 off 38 balls, peppered with seven boundaries, helped ease any early nerves. Jones, meanwhile, was the anchor and the aggressor, compiling a superb unbeaten 86 off 92 deliveries, laced with 11 fours and a six. Her partnerships with Beaumont and then captain Heather Knight (33 off 40) took the game away from New Zealand. Knight eventually fell leg-before to Devine, who fittingly claimed a wicket in her final ODI, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Jones finished the chase in style, smashing consecutive boundaries off Devine to bring up the winning runs in the 30th over. “Tammy was brilliant at the start, she definitely took a lot of pressure off me when I was finding it a bit harder. It’s hugely exciting to be in the semi-final, we’re all happy to finish second. Twice in this tournament we’ve had poor performances and then bounced back really quickly. (It is) really positive so that will definitely give us confidence going into the semi,” Jones told reporters after the match.
The day, however, belonged not just to England’s rising stars but also to Sophie Devine, whose final ODI was marked by grace and recognition from both sides. The 36-year-old New Zealand captain was given a guard of honour as she left the field, a fitting tribute to a player who has inspired countless fans and teammates. Devine managed 23 runs with the bat and took the wicket of Knight, but her side struggled to match England’s intensity. Jones was effusive in her praise: “It was really nice. So special to share those moments with Sophie. Someone like Sophie, who we’ve known for a long time now, played on the same team and against each other for many years. She’s a great cricketer and a great person too. It’s great to see her get this recognition, she’s been hugely successful in ODI cricket for New Zealand, and she has inspired so many people along the way.”
England’s victory means they finish the group stage with five wins and a no-result from seven games, their only loss coming at the hands of Australia. The win pushed South Africa down to third, setting up a tantalizing semi-final between the two sides in Guwahati on October 29. Australia, undefeated at the top, will face co-hosts India in the other semi-final. England’s semi-final venue is familiar territory, and Jones is optimistic: “We’re back to Guwahati, and we know how that pitch plays, it suits our bowlers really well, we’ve got some one of the best spinners, and that wicket is really conducive to that, so I’m excited to keep to our spinners on that wicket. We’ve got a lot of confidence on the back of that game and the tour as a whole. There’s been great learning throughout, and just really excited for the occasion in Guwahati, we cannot wait.”
There’s a little twist in the tale, too. With rain forecast for Guwahati, England’s second-place finish could prove crucial. If the semi-final is washed out, England will progress to the final by virtue of their higher group standing. “We wanted to finish as high as we possibly could. Hopefully, the weather doesn’t play a part, but it probably is a factor. To finish second is a great thing for us, and we were definitely chasing that,” Jones admitted.
With Amy Jones in sublime form, the bowling unit showing depth and discipline, and the emotional boost of sending off a rival legend, England head into the knockouts with momentum and belief. The only cloud is over Ecclestone’s fitness, but the team’s adaptability and spirit suggest they’ll be a formidable force, come rain or shine. As they prepare for South Africa, England’s women have shown they’re ready for the big stage—and perhaps, a shot at another World Cup final.
