Danni Wyatt-Hodge produced a superb innings as England remained perfect in the group stage, crushing defending champions New Zealand by nine wickets at The Oval and ending the White Ferns’ title defence.
New Zealand posted 163 for 6 in their 20 overs, largely thanks to steady contributions from Melie Kerr (40) and Sophie Devine (30). Their total featured periodic hitting but lacked sustained partnerships after a cluster of wickets late in the innings.
England’s chase survived an early scare when Amy Jones fell for 17, but Wyatt-Hodge and Sophia Dunkley put the match beyond doubt with an unbroken 128-run partnership. Playing at her home ground, Wyatt-Hodge scored a brilliant 89 while Dunkley added 49, and England reached the target with 16 balls to spare in front of a 21,018 crowd.
The pair shrugged off a 20-minute rain delay to accelerate on resumption. Wyatt-Hodge reached a 33-ball half-century as she punished width and short deliveries with a succession of cuts and drives; she finished with 15 fours and a six. Dunkley, standing in again for the injured Nat Sciver-Brunt, provided composed support at the other end.
Wyatt-Hodge has been in outstanding form all tournament, averaging well into the 90s across her innings, and her performance at The Oval equalled one of the competition’s best run chases — the hosts previously chased successfully in the 2009 semi-final against Australia. After the win she reflected on enjoying batting on a good surface and backing her strengths alongside Dunkley.
For New Zealand, the defeat brings a painful end to a proud era: all-rounders Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates and fast bowler Lea Tahuhu — three veterans with a combined 448 T20 caps — have concluded their international T20 careers at this tournament. Devine provided a late cameo of 30 off 14 balls, including big hits, but could not change the result.
New Zealand’s innings saw a mix of attacking intent and sudden setbacks. After a cautious start, a late flurry kept the innings competitive, but three wickets in four deliveries from Dani Gibson and incisive fielding — including a direct hit run-out by Charlie Dean — stifled momentum. Bates played a useful cameo before being run out at the death.
England’s bowlers had earlier applied pressure at key moments, and the home side’s clinical chase ensured their spot at the top of Group B. With five wins from five group matches — and seven consecutive T20 victories overall — England are assured of a semi-final place at The Oval, where they will face either Australia or India on Tuesday or Thursday.
West Indies secured second place in the group, meaning New Zealand exit the tournament despite their status as 2024 champions. England now turn their attention to the knockout stage, buoyed by form, a packed home crowd and the batting confidence Wyatt-Hodge and Dunkley displayed at the Oval.