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Katherine Brunt wins 2-4 as England limits New Zealand to 71-9 after White Ferns won the toss and decided to bat; Teenage Alice Capsey tops scores as England finish easily with over eight overs to go; England meet India in the semifinals on Saturday after New Zealand meet Australia
Last updated: 04/08/22 20:54
England have reached the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games as group winners after Katherine Brunt set up a dominant seven-wicket win over New Zealand with brilliant opening bowling.
Brunt took two early wickets to set the tone as a superb bowling performance was confined by England to New Zealand to go just 71-9 from their 20 overs at Edgbaston, with Issy Wong (2-10) and Sarah Glenn (2- 13) also claimed two layoffs.
England sped towards their goal as Sophia Dunkley (19) and Alice Capsey (23) applied a quickfire 39 for the second wicket before substitute captain Nat Sciver (7n) and Amy Jones (18n) sent them home with over eight overs left to have.
Both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals ahead of the last game of the tournament’s group stage, but England’s win means they will face Group A runners-up India on Saturday, after New Zealand took on favorites Australia.
The victory completed a perfect group stage for England, who also recorded victories against South Africa and Sri Lanka despite the absence of captain Heather Knight, who was ruled out of the tournament on Wednesday with a hip injury.
England were in control from the start on a balmy summer’s evening in Birmingham, as Brunt vigorously bowled Sophie Devine while a peppy delivery got the New Zealand captain and star batsman’s stump rolling.
The 37-year-old followed that up by sacking Amelia Kerr in almost identical fashion in her second over before the speedy Wong later hit an over to remove Suzie Bates and leave New Zealand 12-3.
As if the situation wasn’t bad enough, a terrible mix-up saw Brooke Halliday run wide before Wong Hayley removed Jensen with a slower ball to ward off New Zealand’s counterattacks.
Spin then took over for England as world top T20I bowler Sophie Ecclestone bowled New Zealand’s top scorer Maddy Green for 19 before Glenn Lea removed Tahuhu and Rosemary Mair, the latter leaving first ball to leave the White Ferns at 57. 9 with five overs to roll.
Hannah Rowe and Fran Jonas dug in to watch the overs in New Zealand’s longest and collectively highest innings partnership, but 71 was unlikely to ever trouble England.
There was a glimmer of hope for New Zealand when England opener Dani Wyatt came on in the first over and wicketkeeper Emma Gaze made a good catch after the ball went high in the air after Jonas was spin bowling.
However, England’s teenage batting sensation, 17-year-old Capsey, quickly got her side back on track when she hit Tahuhu for four boundaries in an over to the delight of spectators at Edgbaston.
Capsey, who had beaten a first half-century in England’s previous game against South Africa, was soon out for 23 against Kerr, but there were plenty more signs pointing to a very bright future.
Dunkley joined the boundary hit, and England needed just 27 more for the win when they were bowled for 19 by Kerr.
Skipper Sciver and Jones put in easy work, with the latter showing fine batting play as she advanced to 18 rather than just 10 balls.