Sri Lanka finish fifth as New Zealand lose to England

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup

Monday, 27 October 2025 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sophie Devine waves farewell after her final WODI against England

England’s Amy Jones celebrates her fifty with Heather Knight

Georgia Plimmer top-scored for New Zealand with 43

Sri Lanka ensured they finished fifth in the final league standings of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup when England beat New Zealand by eight wickets in their match played at Visakhapatnam yesterday.

The top four teams in the league standings qualified for the semi-finals.

England’s win saw them leapfrogging their last opponents South Africa in second place to finish second behind Australia. South Africa ended third and India fourth.

Linsey Smith took three wickets as New Zealand were dismissed for 168. Georgia Plimmer top-scored with 43 off 57 balls (7 fours), and Sophie Devine contributed 23 in her final ODI. Plimmer and Amelia Kerr (35 off 43) added 68 off 81 balls for the second wicket before both were dismissed in successive deliveries.

Devine was key to a competitive score, but she nicked Nat Sciver-Brunt behind – a review picking up a thin inside edge – precipitating a collapse which saw the White Ferns lose their last five wickets for just 13 as the innings was brought to a close in the 39th over.

England reached their target with 20.4 overs to spare, with Amy Jones leading the way with an unbeaten 86 off 92 balls (11 fours, 1 six) while Tammy Beaumont contributed 40 off 38 (7 fours) in an opening stand of 75. Heather Knight joined Jones in another partnership that produced 83 off 75 balls to take England close to their target.

There was still time for Devine to have an impact in her swansong, the veteran trapping Knight in front on 33, but fittingly, it was Player of the Match Jones who wrapped it up with a boundary as England got home in comfortable style. Devine, off whom the winning runs were hit, left the field through a guard of honour to mark the end of one of the great ODI careers.

The semi-final

line-up is:

First semi-final: England v South Africa at Guwahati on 29 October

Second semi-final: Australia v India at Navi Mumbai on 30 October

Final: 2 November at Navi Mumbai

Scores:

New Zealand Women 168 (38.2) (Georgia Plimmer 43, Amelia Kerr 35, Sophie Devine 23, Linsey Smith 3/30, Nat Sciver-Brunt 2/31, Alice Capsey 2/34)

England Women 172-2 (29.2) (Amy Jones 86*, Tammy Beaumont 40, Heather Knight 33)