Tag: New Zealand

VISAKHAPATNAM: New Zealand captain Sophie Devine has called time on her One Day International (ODI) career following her last group-stage fixture against England in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

Devine played her last match against the Three Lions here on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable career spanning two decades.

The 36-year-old finished with the second-longest ODI career for Black Caps, both men and women. She made her debut in 2017 at 17.

Devine played 159th and final ODI against England at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam, scoring 23 off 35 balls and picking up a wicket.

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Following the match, Devine was given a guard of honour by both teams

“Not to make it about myself, but we wanted to go out on a high, but that didn’t happen today. Credit to England. I actually didn’t cry as much as I thought I would,” she said.

“Good thing about announcing retirement so early meant that I had time to deal with those emotions. It wasn’t about the result today but just finish it off with my mates. I’m just so humbled that I have been able to do this for 19 years,” Devine said after the match,” she continued.

Overall, she scored 4279 runs at an average of 32.66 with the help of nine centuries and 18 fifties.

Besides batting, she also delivered with the ball, scalping 111 wickets, with her best figures of 3/24 against West Indies in 2018.

However, her side had a poor run in the World Cup, finishing at sixth position ahead of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

READ: Women’s World Cup: England thrash New Zealand in final group match

VISAKHAPATNAM: Linsey Smith’s three-wicket haul, backed by a strong batting display, led England to a comfortable eight-wicket win over New Zealand here on Sunday in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

Set a mere 169-run target, England hit the winning runs on the loss of two wickets with ease in 29.2 overs.

Amy Jones remained unbeaten with 86 from 92 balls, a knock peppered with 11 fours and a six, whereas Tammy Beaumont struck seven fours in her 38-ball 40.

For New Zealand, there was nothing much in the bowling charts like batting as Lea Tahuhu and Sophie Devine managed to scalp one wicket each.

Earlier, New Zealand could not capitalize on the decision to bat first as their innings folded on 168 all out in 38.2 overs.

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The Three Lions removed opener Suzie Bates in the fifth over, who departed after scoring just 10 from 16 balls.

Following the early wicket, Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer added 68 runs for the second before the former’s wicket sparked a collapse that the White Ferns could not recover from.

The pair was removed on successive deliveries, reducing New Zealand to 89-3 in 19.1 overs. Kerr made 35 from 43 balls with the aid of five fours, and Plimmer scored 43 from 57 deliveries laced with seven fours.

Besides the pair, there were no significant contributions from the middle-order batters.

For England, Linsey Smith remained the star bowler with three wickets to her name. Alice Capsey and Nat Sciver-Brunt supported her well with two scalps apiece.

Playing XIs

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: England ODI skipper Harry Brook sent an early warning for Australia ahead of the 2025 Ashes with an imperious 135 against New Zealand at Bay Oval here on Sunday.

With the Ashes starting in a month’s time, England’s Test vice-captain Brook appears in fine form— a positive sign for the Three Lions’ batting lineup.

Brook smashed 135 from just 101 balls, albeit England ended on the losing side. However, the right-hander earned the player of the match award for his rescuing act.

Harry Brook came in to bat when the Three Lions were in deep waters with 5-3 in just 1.6 overs. However, he struck 11 sixes and nine fours, powering his side to a respectable 223 run total.

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The 26-year-old shattered multiple records during his knock, including the most sixes as a captain batting at number five or below in ODIs. His 135 was also the fifth-highest by an England captain at this position or below.

He also scored the highest percentage of runs made by an England batter in a completed men’s ODI innings.

According to Wisden, Brook’s knock accounted for 60.53 percent of England’s runs, making it the highest of England’s all-time.

Moreover, only two other batters in ODI history have smashed tons when the team score was three down for less than 10 runs. The other players are Pakistan’s Sarfaraz Ahmed – 105 from 3 for 2 against England in 2016 at Lord’s- and India’s Yuvraj Singh – 103 from 3 for 5 against South Africa in 2005 at Hyderabad.

Despite his record-breaking knock, England lost the match by four wickets, courtesy of Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 78 from 91 balls.

Blackcaps chased down the target in 36.4 overs with Mithcell hitting seven fours and two maximums.

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England: 1 Jamie Smith, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Joe Root, 4 Jacob Bethell, 5 Harry Brook (capt), 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Sam Curran, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Luke Wood.

New Zealand: 1 Will Young, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Michael Bracewell, 7 Mitchell Santner (capt), 8 Zak Foulkes, 9 Nathan Smith, 10 Jacob Duffy, 11 Matt Henry.

READ: Brook’s sublime 135 in vain as New Zealand beat England

Captain Harry Brook’s brilliant century wasn’t enough to rescue England as hosts New Zealand eased to a four-wicket win in the first one-day international on Sunday.

Brook struck 11 sixes on his way to 135 in England’s modest score of 223, before New Zealand reached 224-6 in response with more than 13 overs remaining.

Daryl Mitchell hit the winning runs to be unbeaten on 78 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui and put the Black Caps ahead 1-0 in the three-match series.

Victory was set up by a lethal early spell from New Zealand seamer Zakary Foulkes (4-41), who scythed through the top order, reducing England to 10-4 and then 56-6.

Brook led the recovery with a scintillating career-best ODI score.

He raised his ton with three successive sixes off Jacob Duffy before he was last man out in a rearguard 101-ball knock.

The 26-year-old surpassed his previous best score of 110 not out, against Australia in Chester-le-Street last year.

All-rounder Jamie Overton was the only other England batter to reach double figures, posting a career-best 46 in a seventh-wicket stand of 87 with Brook.

Earlier, veteran seamer Matt Henry (2-53) clean-bowled Jamie Smith from the first ball of the innings after England were sent in.

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Foulkes followed up with the prized wickets of Ben Duckett and Joe Root in his first over as England lost six wickets in seam-friendly conditions inside the first hour.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner praised his new-ball pair, particularly Foulkes, who was playing only his second ODI.

New Zealand’s innings also began poorly, with seamer Brydon Carse (3-45) removing Will Young and Kane Williamson in his first over to leave them teetering at 24-3.

It was a first golden duck in 166 ODIs for New Zealand batting great Williamson, who was playing his first international match in nearly eight months.

Mitchell combined with Tom Latham (24) and Michael Bracewell (51) in solid middle-order stands.

Mitchell’s 91-ball knock should have ended on 33 when he lobbed a simple chance, but was dropped.

The remaining matches are in Hamilton on Wednesday and Wellington on Saturday.

England won the three-match T20 series 1-0 after two games were washed out by wet New Zealand weather.

READ: Virat Kohli surpasses Sangakkara to achieve THIS ODI milestone

Batting great Kane Williamson says a changed “life situation” will reduce his availability for New Zealand as he prepares for his first international match since March.

Former captain Williamson will take part in the three-match ODI series against England starting in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, having been unavailable for New Zealand in any format since they lost the final of the Champions Trophy against India in March.

In that period, the 35-year-old, arguably his country’s finest batsman, missed a Test series in Zimbabwe and the home T20I series this month against Australia and England.

Speaking ahead of the England series, Williamson said his international availability is limited by a desire to spend more time with his young family, as well as play in lucrative professional leagues.

“As your life situation changes, as mine has, the balance between where you spend your time and give your attention is really, really important,” Williamson told New Zealand Cricket.

“So still being able to play for New Zealand and play the sport that I love at the highest level is great. But the balance is the most important thing for me.”

Since his debut in 2010, Williamson has scored 9,276 Test runs at an average of 54.88 to be comfortably New Zealand’s most prolific batter.

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He has gradually reduced his commitments over the last two years, relinquishing the captaincy in all formats. His “casual” contract with the national body requires him to commit to only certain series and tournaments.

Kane Williamson has spent much of this year in England, where he was captain of London Spirit in the men’s Hundred competition, as well as playing for Middlesex.

He is yet to play under new national coach Rob Walter, but has spoken with him extensively about availability.

“It’s just an ongoing communication with New Zealand Cricket and with Rob, and I’m grateful for that,” Williamson said.

“It’s a lot about the balance, with family and time away, but also the delicate balance of being a part of this team that I’ve really loved and enjoyed for such a long period of time.”

Williamson is one of five Black Caps on casual playing agreements with New Zealand Cricket, including Lockie Ferguson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert.

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NAVI MUMBAI: Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal’s sparkling centuries powered India to a comfortable win over New Zealand, sealing a semi-final spot for the hosts in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.

After India’s win here at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on Thursday, New Zealand and Sri Lanka were eliminated from the mega-event.

Set 325 in 44 overs as per DLS method in a rain-affected encounter, the White Ferns could only manage 271-8.

After losing Suzie Bates in the second over, Brooke Halliday and Georgia Plimmer
added a 50-run stand for the second wicket.

Plimmer made 30 from 25 balls, striking five fours, while Amelia Kerr scored 45 from 53 deliveries with the aid of four boundaries.

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However, India made a roaring comeback, removing set Plimmer and Sophie Devine in quick succession. As a result, New Zealand slumped to 59-3 in 11.3 overs.

Despite brief partnerships in the middle-order, New Zealand were unable to chase the target due to the mounting required run rate.

Brooke Halliday fought hard with her valiant 81 from 84 balls; however, it was not enough to take her side home.

For India, Renuka Singh and Kranti Gaud scalped two wickets each.

Earlier, after being put into bat, India piled up 340-3 in 49 overs, courtesy of Pratika Rawal’s and Smriti Mandhana’s imperious opening stand.

The duo added 212 for the opening wicket, which threw New Zealand out of the game. Mandhana 109 from 95 balls was laced with 10 fours and four sixes, while Rawal 122 from 134 deliveries included 13 fours and two sixes.

Jemimah Rodrigues was the other notable contributor, making 76 off just 55, which helped India finish strong at the back end of the innings.

For India, Amelia Kerr, Suzie Bates, and Rosemary Mair picked up one wicket each.

Playing XIs

India XI: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani

New Zealand XI: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Eden Carson, Lea Tahuhu

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CHRISTCHURCH: England skipper Harry Brook smashed 78 to steer his side to a thumping 65-run victory over New Zealand in the second T20I on Monday.

The visitors raced to a mammoth 236-4 from their 20 overs after Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to field at Hagley Oval.

Brook and opener Phil Salt (85) blasted New Zealand to all parts while the hosts didn’t help themselves with misfields, errant throwing, and dropped catches.

Wicketkeeper Tim Seifert dropped Jacob Bethell after a top edge swirled high in the strong northwest wind, and later James Neesham put down Brook.

The Brook drop was crucial, with the 26-year-old blasting 78 from just 35 deliveries as part of a 129-run partnership with Salt.

Brook showed his intent just two balls after he was dropped, smacking a powerful pull shot more than 100 metres over midwicket, the ball landing outside the ground.

He hit six fours and five sixes during his stay, finally falling after mistiming a lofted drive to long-on.

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Salt played second fiddle for much of his innings, scoring 85 from 56 balls, rotating the strike before seizing on any loose bowling.

Brook said the pair tried to keep one another “calm and composed” during their century stand, while “looking to manipulate the field and put them under as much pressure as possible”.

Tom Banton blasted 29 from only 12 balls to end the innings, helping England to the highest T20 total scored in Christchurch.

New Zealand’s chase started poorly, losing both Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra in the second over.

It found life with Seifert and Mark Chapman, who combined for a 69-run partnership in quick time, but when both fell either side of the 10-over mark New Zealand’s pursuit had all but ended.

England’s spinners, Adil Rashid (4-32) and Liam Dawson (2-38), and seamer Brydon Carse (2-27) gave away little during their spells as New Zealand were bowled out for 171.

The third match of the T20 series will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Thursday night.

READ: Shan Masood keeps Pakistan afloat in second South Africa Test

COLOMBO: The continuous downpours at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday forced the abandonment of the 15th fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. 

The match was abandoned after the innings break due to continuous drizzle that prevented play from happening.

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 258-6 in their 50 overs.

Openers Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne laid a solid foundation with a 101-run stand, with the former notching up her 20th ODI fifty on 72 balls, while Gunaratne made 42 from 83 with the aid of three fours.

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Sri Lanka batted comfortably until the 40th over as New Zealand made a roaring comeback with quick wickets. As a result, Sri Lanka went from 183-3 to 198-5 in 42.4 overs.

However, it was Nilakshika Silva’s brisk knock at No. 6 that carried them to a strong total.

She struck seven fours and a six on her way to 55 from just 28 balls, also scoring the fastest fifty of the tournament.

For New Zealand, Sophie Devine starred with the ball, picking up three wickets in her nine overs.

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Veteran batter Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the upcoming home T20I series against England as he continues to recover from a minor medical issue, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed on Sunday.

The 35-year-old, who last represented the Black Caps in the Champions Trophy final against India in March, is expected to be available for the subsequent ODI series against the same opposition later this month.

Williamson, currently on a casual NZC contract, had earlier opted out of the T20I series against Australia and the Zimbabwe tour to fulfil county commitments with Middlesex in The Hundred.

Head coach Rob Walter revealed that Williamson’s recovery required a bit more time, emphasizing that the decision was precautionary.

“He’s obviously a world-class player, and we’re hoping these two weeks will ensure he’s ready for the ODIs against England and the following tour by the West Indies,” Walter said in a statement.

In Williamson’s absence, Mitchell Santner returns from abdominal surgery to lead the side.

However, New Zealand have been dealt a fresh setback with fast bowler Ben Sears ruled out due to a left hamstring tear sustained in training. Sears is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.

Rachin Ravindra, who missed the T20I series against Australia after suffering a facial injury during fielding practice, makes his comeback.

New Zealand’s injury list remains lengthy, with Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), and Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) all unavailable.

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With wristspinner Ish Sodhi missing out, Ravindra joins Santner and Michael Bracewell as part of the spin trio. Mark Chapman could also offer part-time left-arm spin if required.

Walter praised Santner’s leadership and welcomed Ravindra’s return.

“It’s great to have Mitch back. He’s not only our leader but also one of the best white-ball spinners in the world. Likewise, it’s nice to welcome back Rachin, who was unlucky to miss out on Australia and is really excited for this series,” he said.

Veteran allrounder Jimmy Neesham, who recently turned 35, keeps his spot after impressing with figures of 4 for 26 in the third T20I against Australia.

Neesham reiterated his ambition to represent New Zealand at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

“I want to win a World Cup for New Zealand, and that’s the reason I’m still playing,” Neesham said. “Selection ahead of the tournament is out of my hands, but I’ll stay ready and perform when called upon.”

The three-match T20I series against England begins at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on October 18, with the second fixture at the same venue on October 20.

The final match will be played in Auckland, followed by the ODI series from October 26 to November 1, where Williamson could mark his return at his home ground, Bay Oval.

New Zealand T20I Squad

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk).

READ: Muthusamy spins South Africa back in first Test against Pakistan

GUWAHATI: Skipper Sophie Devine’s and Brooke Halliday’s composed half-centuries, followed by a clinical bowling performance, sealed a comprehensive 100-run victory over Bangladesh in the ICC Women’s World Cup here at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Set 229, Bangladesh were bowled out for a mere 127 in 39.5 overs.

New Zealand inflicted a poor start on Bangladesh as they removed openers Rubya Haider and Sharmin Akhter for four and three runs respectively.

The early wickets did not allow Bangladesh’s middle-order batters to settle as BlackCaps bowlers cut through the batting lineup.

Fahima Khatun top-scored with 34 from 80 balls with the help of two fours. She was the highlight of Bangladesh’s innings, adding a string of partnerships later down the order, which helped them cross the 100-run mark.

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Eventually, New Zealand bowled them out for a modest score, resulting in their first victory of the tournament.

For the Blackcaps, Jess Kerr and Lea Tahuhu picked up three wickets each.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, New Zealand posted 227-9 in their 50 overs, thanks to Devine and Halliday’s 112-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Bangladesh kept it tight from the start, leaving them reeling at 38-3 in 11 overs. However, the duo’s partnership drove New Zealand and helped them reach a respectable total.

Devine made 63 from 85, striking two sixes and two fours, whereas Halliday struck five fours and a six on her way to 69 from 104 balls.

For Bangladesh, Rabeya Khan remained the standout bowler, picking up three wickets in her quota of 10 overs while giving away 30 runs.

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