ICC Women's World Cup | England edge New Zealand to stay alive

Defending champion England held its nerve to beat New Zealand by one wicket in a match between teams down to their last chance at the Women’s Cricket World Cup

With its last pair at the crease and with steady rain falling over Eden Park, defending champion England held its nerve to beat New Zealand by one wicket Sunday in a match between teams down to their last chance at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.

England came into the match with only one win from four matches in the eight-team round-robin; New Zealand had two wins from five matches. Neither could afford another loss in a virtual knock-out match between teams desperate to reach the semifinals.

From the start there was drama. New Zealand managed only 203 after being sent in on a premium batting wicket. Australia had scored 280-4 to beat India’s 277-7 on the same pitch a day earlier.

And England seemed heading for a comfortable win with vice-captain Nat Sciver 61 not out and leading its carefully measured run chase. Showers scudded across through most of the second half of England’s innings and it was most in command if the match was halted and result was decided under the Duckworth-Lewis system.

Sciver was out when England was 187-6 in the 44th over, seemingly cruising to victory with only 17 runs needed and four wickets in hand. But England’s run chase almost came unstuck in the dramatic final overs.

The rain gave new life to the pitch, the ball began to skid and batting became more precarious. England lost Sophie Ecclestone with 12 runs needed, Kate Cross with 10 runs required and Katherine Brunt in a desperate run out eight runs from victory.

That brought Anya Shrubsole to the wicket to join Charlie Dean who had been a hero when England bowled.