The tension was thick enough to cut with a cricket bat at Visakhapatnam’s scenic ACA-VDCA Stadium. New Zealand’s legendary captain Sophie Devine walked onto the field for her final ODI match – but England’s ruthless performance turned her farewell into a nightmare.
The Stage Was Set For Drama
25,000 fans packed the coastal stadium despite threatening grey skies. This match meant little in tournament standings – England already secured their semi-final spot. But for Devine, playing her 158th and final ODI, everything was on the line.
“Walking out for my last ODI feels surreal. This team means everything to me.” – Sophie Devine pre-match tweet
Weather Plays Spoiler Again
Rain has haunted this World Cup, especially for New Zealand. The White Ferns suffered two washouts in Colombo earlier. Now dark clouds loomed over Visakhapatnam, with cyclone warnings in the Bay of Bengal.
“We’ve had the worst luck with weather,” Devine confessed at the toss. “But today we play for pride.”
England’s Spin Web Destroys NZ Hopes
England’s spin trio proved why they’re tournament favorites:
| Bowler | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Sophie Ecclestone | 11 | 4.20 |
| Linsey Smith | 9 | 4.50 |
| Charlie Dean | 7 | 4.73 |
Their combined 27 tournament wickets strangled New Zealand’s batting. Only Amelia Kerr (47 runs) offered real resistance as wickets fell like dominoes.
Devine’s Emotional Last Stand
Walking in at 75/3, Devine received a standing ovation. The weight of history pressed down:
- 4,256 ODI runs
- 110 ODI wickets
- Third-highest run-scorer in tournament
But England’s Lauren Bell shattered the fairy tale, clean bowling Devine for just 18 runs. Tears mixed with Vizag’s drizzling rain as the captain walked off forever.
England’s Clinical Chase
Chasing 189, England’s openers Tammy Beaumont (68*) and Amy Jones (42) made light work of New Zealand’s bowling. The victory came with 12 overs to spare – a brutal demonstration of England’s World Cup credentials.
What This Means For Both Teams
For England:
- Secured No. 2 position in group stage
- Maintained winning momentum before semi-finals
- Tested bench strength with tactical changes
For New Zealand:
- Likely finish 7th – their worst World Cup showing
- Questions about team’s aging core players
- Search begins for post-Devine leadership
Heartbreaking Numbers For NZ
New Zealand’s struggles against England hit new lows:
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Losses in last 10 ODIs vs ENG | 8 |
| World Cup wins | 1 (vs Bangladesh) |
| Devine’s tournament average | 66.50 |
Where to Watch Replay
Relive the emotional moments:
The End of an Era
As Devine hugged teammates through tears, even England’s players joined the ovation. “She’s been an incredible servant to the game,” England captain Heather Knight noted. “Today we played cricket, but Sophie’s legacy lasts forever.”
With rain finally stopping play after England’s victory, the clouds parted – literally and metaphorically. England march toward the semi-finals, while New Zealand faces a future without their iconic leader.
