England Knock White Ferns Out of Women's T20 World Cup as Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu Say Good Bye to Cricket

The New Zealand women’s cricket team was knocked out of the Women’s T20 World Cup following their loss to England by nine wickets in the group stage matches. The loss also brought curtains down on the international careers of White Ferns’ three most decorated players - Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, and Lea Tahuhu.

New Zealand went into the match against England at The Oval needing a win to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Kiwi captain, Amelia Kerr won the toss and chose to bat first and they posted a competitive total of 163 runs for six in their allotted 20 overs.

Kerr got New Zealand off to a good start and top-scored for her team with 42 runs from 34 balls. The veteran all-rounder, Sophi Devine showcased why she is one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world as he produced one last power hitting innings, smashing 30 runs from just 14 deliveries. Her innings was laced with three sixes, before she was run out on the final ball of the Kiwi innings.

When the Kiwis took the field to defend their total of 163, it seemed defendable. But England came out positively, especially their opener, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, she kept her team in the hunt, scoring freely and registered an unbeaten knock of 89 runs from 53 balls, eventually earning the player of the match award.

Wyatt-Hodge was well-supported by Sophia Dunkley, and the duo shared a second-wicket partnership of 128 runs, with Sophia contributing 49 runs and both remained unbeaten. England completed the chase in the 17th over with nine wickets to spare, finishing the group stage undefeated and booking their place in the semi-finals against South Africa.

For New Zealand, the loss was quite deflating, especially since they came into the tournament as the defending champions after having won the trophy in 2024. The bigger story, though, for the New Zealand Women’s Cricket team was the retirement of three legends of the game - Suzie Bates, Lea Tahuhu and Sophie Devine. The trio had signalled this would be their last world cup before the start of the tournament and their retirement brings an end of an era for the team.

The England players and the fellow Kiwi team members formed a guard of honour to mark the moment as the three greats walked off the field one last time. The gesture also summed up the respect that these players command across the game.

In her illustrious career, Devine, played 316 white-ball matches for New Zealand across a career that spanned 20 years. She also captained the side, opened the bowling and batting and for many years remained the key player for her team. Her power-hitting ability and hitting sixes at will, made her one of the most feared batters in women’s cricket.

Suzie Bates retired as the most capped player in New Zealand history and also the greatest run scorer for New Zealand. She scored 10,721 runs in 369 games. Her career stretches a long time, going back to the time when women’s cricket was played largely on empty grounds and with little money poured in the game.

She was there through the long climb to professionalism, and leaves having seen the sport transformed significantly in New Zealand and worldwide.

Fast bowler Lea Tahuhu who was known for her supreme pace was also one of New Zealand's best bowlers. In her 15-year career, she played 206 matches. Together the greats accounted for the better part of two decades of New Zealand cricket, and their departure has left a big void that may be hard to fill.

The way their career came to end, may not have not had the send-off they would have liked. But their careers have surely left an inedible mark on New Zealand cricket and they will forever remain an inspiration for a new generation of talent.