Visakhapatnam, Oct 26 (UNI) Batter Amy Jones crafted a calm and authoritative unbeaten 86 to steer England Women to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over New Zealand Women in their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 league match at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here today.
Chasing a target of 169, England finished at 172 for 2 in 29.2 overs, with Jones anchoring the innings throughout. Her 92-ball knock featured 11 boundaries and a six, and she closed out the match with two consecutive fours off Sophie Devine — a shovelled stroke over mid-wicket followed by a firm cover drive.
England began their chase positively as Tammy Beaumont struck seven boundaries in a fluent 40 off 38 balls, putting pressure on the New Zealand new-ball attack. Her innings ended when she was trapped leg-before by Lea Tahuhu.
Heather Knight then joined Jones and ensured the momentum continued, scoring 33 off 40 balls, including a cleanly lofted six down the ground. Knight was eventually pinned in front by Devine, but England remained comfortably placed by then.
Jones accelerated after reaching her half-century, striking four back-to-back boundaries off Rosemary Mair, and continued to manoeuvre the field with ease. Her control was evident in her use of the sweep, pull and straight drive, maintaining pressure on the bowlers and allowing England to complete the chase without further alarms.
Earlier, New Zealand were bowled out for 168 in 38.2 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Georgia Plimmer top-scored with a composed 43, while Amelia Kerr contributed 35. The pair added stability after early wickets, but the innings lost shape once both departed in quick succession.
Kerr’s attempt to clear long-on was held safely, and soon after Plimmer fell lbw to Charlie Dean. Thereafter, New Zealand struggled to rebuild. Isabella Gaze provided a brief surge with 14, including a six, before Linsey Smith bowled her to begin the final collapse.
Nat Sciver-Brunt removed Devine after a review confirmed a slight edge behind. Sciver-Brunt then trapped Mair lbw, while Jess Kerr fell to a sharp run-out from Dean and Jones.
The innings ended when Tahuhu mistimed an attempted loft and Dean held on running back from mid-off, giving Smith her third wicket.
Smith led England’s attack with figures of 3 for 30, while Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey took two wickets each. Sophie Ecclestone and Dean chipped in with one apiece as England maintained tight lines and forced errors.
England will next play against South Africa in the semifinals of the WWC at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on October 29.
