Last-Ball World Cup Drama
New Zealand Secure Thrilling Last-Ball Victory Against Ireland to Keep World Cup Hopes Alive
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Key Points
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Ireland’s captain Gaby Lewis won the toss and chose to bowl first at Southampton.
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New Zealand’s innings was derailed early: Ireland reduced them to 10/3 in the 4th over, with the wicket-taking new-ball spell coming from Aimee Maguire and Orla Prendergast—and later leg-spinner Cara Murray removed New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr (30 off 24) in the 9th over.
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Melie Kerr’s impact wasn’t limited to the batting save/finish: she also produced bowling figures of 2/23 from her four overs during Ireland’s chase, while Rosemary Mair and Bree Illing also took wickets.
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The wider tournament context mattered: New Zealand’s earlier defeats were described as “humiliating” losses that included ten dropped catches in their first two matches against West Indies and Sri Lanka—contributing to them entering the game searching for their first points and facing an early-exit scenario.
New Zealand survived an extraordinary last-ball thriller to beat Ireland by four runs at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton on June 19, keeping their Women's T20 World Cup title defense alive. Cricket Australia reported that the White Ferns recovered from a disastrous 3-10 in the 4th over to post 140-6, then held Ireland to 136-4 despite a record-breaking 110-run partnership between the Irish top order.
The win delivered New Zealand their first points of the tournament. They had entered the match on the brink of elimination after what Perth Now described as two
Bates Rescues New Zealand From Early Ruin
Ireland struck early after captain Gaby Lewis won the toss and chose to bowl. Aimee Maguire and Orla Prendergast tore through the New Zealand top order, reducing them to 10-3 inside four overs. It looked like a catastrophic start for a team that could not afford another loss.
The innings was rebuilt through grit. Amelia Kerr scored 30 off 24 balls, Brooke Halliday made 34, and Izzy Sharp added 36. Then Suzie Bates — recalled only because captain Sophie Devine was ruled out sick — hit 19 off 12 balls, including a last-ball six, to lift New Zealand to 140-6. "It has been a disappointing start," Kerr said after the match, per A-Sports. "Today was just about body language and turning up."
Lewis and Prendergast Build a Record-Breaking Partnership
Ireland's chase looked anything but over. After losing two early wickets, captain Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast put on 110 runs together — the highest partnership in Ireland Women's World Cup history, according to Lokmat Times. Lewis made 58 off 53 balls. Prendergast made 59 off 53.
The partnership lasted 14.2 overs and gave Ireland a real shot at their first-ever World Cup win. Ireland have lost all 20 of their Women's T20 World Cup matches heading into this game. For 17 overs, they played the better cricket.
Melie Kerr's Double Strike Swings the Match in the 18th Over
The turning point came in the 18th over. Melie Kerr took two wickets in quick succession, removing Prendergast and Rebecca Stokell. That left Ireland needing 15 runs off the final over with new batters at the crease — a steep ask against a specialist finisher.
Suzie Bates bowled that final over and conceded just 10 runs. Ireland's new batters could not clear the boundary. The match ended with Ireland on 136-4. Kerr finished with 2-23 from four overs. Ireland coach Lloyd Tennant stayed positive after the loss, saying per Head Topics: "We set new standards for ourselves tonight. If we can keep that momentum, we've got a chance of getting that first win on the board."
Dropped Catches and Devine's Illness Haunted New Zealand All Week
New Zealand arrived at this match carrying real baggage. Cricket Australia noted they had dropped 10 catches across their first two games — six against the West Indies, four against Sri Lanka. Those errors contributed directly to two straight losses and left the defending champions searching for their first points.
Devine's illness forced Bates back into the XI. That turned out to be decisive. Kerr said Bates "thrives in big moments" and had been specifically training for death-over bowling even while out of the starting lineup. New Zealand now have two points and must win their final group game while hoping for help from other results to reach the semi-finals.
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