NZ W vs ENG W | Twitter in pain as Sophie Devine endures heartbreaking ODI farewell

ByUmesh Sharma,SportsCafe Editor

Yesterday at 7:12 PM

England defeated New Zealand by a big margin of eight wickets in their last league match in the ongoing Women’s World Cup 2025. It was also the last ODI appearance for New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, who endured a heartbreaking farewell, courtesy of Amy Jones’ match-winning knock.

England Women beat New Zealand Women by 8 wickets in Sophie Devine's last ODI appearance (Women's World Cup 2025)

New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and asked her batters to take charge. They faced an early blow, losing the veteran batter Suzie Bates (10) when the team scored just 21 runs in 5.3 overs. Following Sophie’s dismissal, her opening partner, Georgia Plimmer and number three batter Amelia Kerr stitched an important partnership of 68 runs for the second wicket before New Zealand lost both batters in quick succession on two successive deliveries. Plimmer and Kerr played the knocks of 43 and 35 runs before falling prey to Charlie Dean and Alice Capsey. After this partnership, the White Ferns started losing wickets at regular intervals except for Sophie’s 23-run knock in her last ODI appearance, and eventually, they were bundled out at the score of just 168 runs in 38.2 overs. Linsey Smith starred with the ball for England as she scalped three wickets for just 30 runs in her 9.2 overs. Besides her, skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey also bagged two wickets each in their respective bowling spells. Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone also contributed with a wicket each to bundle out New Zealand before 200+ total.

While chasing the target, England’s in-form opening pair of wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont made an amazing opening stand of 75 runs in 14.4 overs. This partnership ended when Lea Tahuhu dismissed Beaumont on the fourth ball of the 15th over. Beaumont played a decent knock of 40 runs off 38 balls, with seven fours. Following this dismissal, Jones added another match-winning partnership of 83 runs for the second wicket with former skipper Heather Knight. Knight contributed with 33 runs off 40 balls, with two fours and a six, before falling prey to Sophie Devine on the first ball of the 28th over. Jones played an amazing match-winning and unbeaten knock of 86 runs off 92 balls, with 11 fours and a six, to help the English side chase this target in 29.2 overs, scoring 172/2. Jones’ knock also gave a heartbreaking ODI farewell to New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, who was appearing in the last ODI of her illustrious career.

Fans came up with a lot of reactions, sympathising with Devine as she endured a farewell which she wouldn’t have expected. While the fans also praised Beaumont for her brilliant knock to win a game for her side before their semi-final appearance against South Africa Women.

Smith Shines 🌟

New Zealand were bowled out for just 168 runs against England in the Women's World Cup at Visakhapatnam. ❌

Linsey Smith was the star of the show, picking up 3 wickets. 🔥
— World Global News 🦋 (@Laraib_Fatiima)

Dominant England 🔥

England restricted New Zealand for only 168/10 in just 38.2 overs.

Linsey Smith picked 3 wickets. Nat Sciver-Brunt & Alice Capsey got 2 wickets each.

New Zealand has already eliminated; however England has qualified for semifinals in Women's ODI World Cup.
— बातम्या खेळांच्या (@Surendra21286)

Smith Sensation

Linsey Smith now has many wickets as Sophie Ecclestone in this World Cup (12) at a better economy rate and almost the same average

Really impressive effort from her considering how well Sophie has bowled
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17)

England Cruise

New Zealand are denied a consolation victory in Sophie Devine’s final ODI as England seal second spot in the table with a dominant win

Scorecard:
— Sanavvar Ali (@SANAVVARALI)

Eng Won!

England win their final group match at by 8 wickets.
— Matthew Murphy (@MJPatrickMurphy)

Semi Ready

England register a comprehensive win against New Zealand to finish 2nd on the table and go into the semifinal with the positional advantage (in case there is a washout despite reserve day etc). Amy Jones, superb.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm)

Devine Farewell