England Triumphs Over New Zealand in Women’s World Cup Match

On October 26, 2025, at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, England’s women’s cricket team secured a decisive eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ICC Women’s World Cup. This match also marked the final One Day International (ODI) appearance for New Zealand’s captain, Sophie Devine.

Match Overview

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Their innings began promisingly, reaching 85/1. However, after Devine’s dismissal, the team experienced a collapse, losing their last five wickets for just 13 runs, culminating in a total of 168 all out in 38.2 overs.

England’s chase was led by wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, who delivered an unbeaten 86 off 92 balls. Supported by Tammy Beaumont, who contributed to a 75-run partnership, and captain Heather Knight’s composed 33, England comfortably reached 172/2 with 124 balls to spare.

Sophie Devine’s Farewell

Sophie Devine, 36, concluded her illustrious 19-year ODI career with this match. Debuting in October 2006, she played 159 ODIs, amassing 4,279 runs and taking 111 wickets. Devine is one of only three women to achieve over 4,000 runs and 100 wickets in ODIs. Known for her powerful hitting, she set a record by hitting nine sixes in a single ODI inning and shares the fastest T20 half-century record (18 balls) with Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield. Reflecting on her final game, where she scored 23 runs and took the wicket of Heather Knight, Devine emphasized her enjoyment and love for the game, hinting at her continued involvement in cricket.

Implications for the Tournament

With this victory, England solidified their position at the top of the points table, having already secured a spot in the semi-finals. New Zealand, on the other hand, was already out of contention for the semi-finals prior to this match. The tournament continues to showcase competitive cricket, with teams vying for the coveted World Cup title.