New Zealand elected to take first use of the Oval surface in their final group fixture of the Women’s T20 World Cup, a match that suddenly carries real weight after Ireland’s surprise win over West Indies in Bristol earlier in the day.
That Irish result means the holders progress if they beat England; defeat would knock them out after an up-and-down campaign that currently reads two wins, two losses. England have already booked a knockout place thanks to an unbeaten run to date, yet head coach Jon Lewis insists there will be “no let-up” from his side.
At the toss, captain Melie Kerr summed up her team’s change in fortunes. “We have been supporting Ireland and now we have it our hands, which we didn’t think would happen after the first two games. We are in a privileged position,” she said.
Both XIs are unchanged. Charlie Dean continues to lead England while Nat Sciver-Brunt nurses a calf strain picked up against Ireland. New Zealand stick with the same combination that beat Pakistan three nights ago, hoping continuity brings the consistency that has eluded them all tournament.
Conditions are set fair, with a used pitch expected to offer grip later on. England’s spinners—Dean, Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith—could come into play if New Zealand fail to post a commanding total, but the Oval outfield is quick and short straight boundaries encourage stroke-making.
Teams
New Zealand: Melie Kerr (capt), Izzy Gaze (wk), Izzy Sharp, Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr, Nensi Patel, Lea Tahuhu, Bree Illing.
England: Amy Jones (wk), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Charlie Dean (capt), Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell.
