England beat New Zealand by 8 wickets in Visakhapatnam:Linsey Smith bags three wickets against Kiwis in Women’s World Cup; Amy Jones awarded POTM

England finished their league stage on a high note, defeating New Zealand by eight wickets in a one-sided Women’s World Cup clash on Sunday. Led by opener Amy Jones’ unbeaten half-century, the four-time champions comfortably chased down the modest 169-run target in just 29.2 overs at the DY Patil Stadium. Already assured of a semifinal spot, England’s commanding win pushed them to second place on the points table with 11 points, overtaking South Africa (10 points). In comparison, Australia continue to lead with 13 points. Despite the defeat, New Zealand’s campaign ended on a disappointing note, bowled out for just 168 after choosing to bat first. This win gives England the perfect boost ahead of the semifinals. Their bowlers once again set up the match, and the batters finished the job clinically. With Jones in excellent touch and the team firing on all fronts, England look well-prepared to challenge for their fifth Women’s World Cup title. Also read: KKR likely to appoint Abhishek Nayar as new head coach: Former Mumbai all-rounder to take charge after underwhelming IPL 2025 season- Report Jones leads the charge with an unbeaten knock Amy Jones was the star of the show for England, remaining unbeaten on 86 off 92 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six. She anchored the innings brilliantly and ensured that there were no hiccups in the chase. Partner Tammy Beaumont gave England a flying start, scoring 40 runs off just 38 deliveries, including seven boundaries, as the duo put on a 75-run opening partnership. Skipper Heather Knight continued the momentum, adding a steady 33 runs before Jones guided England home with ease. Their top order’s solid performance ensured that the chase was completed with 124 balls to spare, showcasing the team’s dominance heading into the knockout stage. Also read: Rohit Sharma celebrates 50th international ton – WATCH: Kohli silences critics with statement fifty; gets standing ovation from SCG New Zealand struggle after electing to bat New Zealand’s decision to bat first backfired as they struggled against England’s disciplined bowling attack. Georgia Plimmer top-scored with 43, while Amelia Kerr contributed 35, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to make an impact. The team was bowled out for 168 in just 38.2 overs. England’s bowlers shared the spoils effectively. Linsey Smith starred with figures of 3 for 30, while Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/31) and Alice Capsey (2/34) provided strong support. The early breakthroughs kept New Zealand under constant pressure, preventing it from building any meaningful partnerships.