Wyatt-Hodge smashes unbeaten 89 as England race into World Cup semis

England make breakthrough with three wickets in four balls

>New Zealand 163-6 (20 overs): M Kerr 42 (34); Gibson 2-30

>England 164-1 (17.2 overs): Wyatt-Hodge 89* (53), Dunkley 49* (38)

>England's winning run at the T20 World Cup continued with a rampant nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in their final group game at The Oval.

>Already assured of top spot in Group 2, and with it a place in next week's semi-finals, England built on the momentum of their four previous wins by cruising a chase of 164 with 16 balls to spare.

>Danni Wyatt-Hodge, now the tournament's leading run-scorer, kept up her superb form by crashing 89 not out. She was supported by Sophia Dunkley, who made 49 not out in their unbroken partnership of 128.

>Defending champions New Zealand, who are now eliminated, are a shadow of the side that won this title in 2024 but the dominant nature of England's win only added to the sense of momentum around this side.

>After limiting New Zealand early on, they took three wickets in four balls without conceding a run in limiting the White Ferns to 163-6.

>Sophie Devine hit three sixes in a 14-ball 30 on her final international appearance but otherwise England were always in control.

>Their semi-final opponents will be confirmed on Sunday, with India or South Africa appearing the most likely.

>That match will take place on Tuesday afternoon or Thursday evening back at The Oval, where England's women's side have never lost any of their 11 matches.

>Win that and they will return to Lord's for the final on Sunday for a chance to win their first World Cup since 2017.

>England were always expected to come through this group.

>It is also the easier of the two pools, with Australia, India and South Africa battling it out for two spots to progress from the other side of the draw.

>But it remains that England could have done little more over the past two weeks as they bid to end their barren run at the top of the game.

>With the swaggering Wyatt-Hodge in this form - she now has the most runs ever at a single women's T20 World Cup - anything feels possible.

>She crashed through or over the covers whenever New Zealand offered a hint of width and capitalised on a dropped catch on nought and a missed stumping on 13.

>England may yet be bolstered by the return of captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, though Dunkley showed she is in good form if the 33-year-old's calf does not recover in time.

>England have been here before, having reached five semi-finals since winning the 50-over title in 2017, and tougher tests await.

>This, though, feels like a golden opportunity.

>Impressive England race to crushing victory over New Zealand - as it happened

>Though New Zealand did not get away, England did not take a wicket until Izzy Gaze hit Freya Kemp's last ball of the 10th over to long-on.

>While England have progressed unbeaten to this point, their powerplay bowling economy rate is only the eighth best of all teams. More aggressive openers than Izzy Gaze and Melie Kerr - the latter top-scored with 42 from 34 balls - may have taken advantage.

>That is nitpicking, however. England were again excellent in the field with stand-in captain Charlie Dean's direct hit from extra cover seeing off Brooke Halliday for 20.

>There was a brief point when, by targeting leg side, Devine threatened to derail England but Bell - a much-improved death bowler - returned to have her lbw in the 16th over.

>Whoever England play next week will have batting line-ups packed with the class of Devine. Such timely interventions will be essential.

>Suzie Bates swept and reverse-swept three fours in a 13-ball 19 before being run out off the final ball.

>With their tournament over, this defeat brought down the curtain on the New Zealand careers of Bates, Devine and seamer Lea Tahuhu who are all retiring from international cricket.

>New Zealand now face a difficult challenge of remaining competitive without them. That trio have been superb players and ambassadors for the game.

>They will not have wanted to depart in defeat but leaving the field through a guard of honour formed by England's players, as a record crowd for a Women's T20 World Cup group-stage match stood to applaud, was in many ways fitting.

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