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Scotty & Izzy live on SN ExtraWhite Ferns keep slender T20 World Cup hopes alive
AP • June 24th, 2026 6:00 am
Izzy Sharp hit 62 off 43 balls to lead New Zealand to T20 World Cup victory over Scotland | Photo: AP
Defending champions New Zealand have lived to fight another day at the Women's Twenty20 World Cup after beating Scotland by six wickets.
Reaching the semi-finals is still a long shot; the White Ferns must defeat unbeaten England next Saturday (Sunday NZ Time) at The Oval and hope other results go their way.
England and the West Indies, who meet Wednesday (local time) lead the group with England on six points from three games, two more than New Zealand from four.
Izzy Sharp and Brooke Halliday pulled New Zealand out of 26/3 in a wretched powerplay with a partnership of 101 that wasn't broken until victory was only five runs away.
Sharp was the aggressor and out for a 43-ball 62, her career-best T20 score, and Halliday was unbeaten on 41 for New Zealand to reach 132/4 with 10 balls to spare.
Brooke Halliday anchored New Zealand's reply at Bristol with an unbeaten 41 off 38 balls | Photo: AP
"What a special knock from Sharp," White Ferns captain Melie Kerr said. "She has the potential to be one of New Zealand's best ever and the best in the world."
Scotland were eyeing a 150 total but were pulled back to 131/7 in the by the bowling of Sophie Devine, Nensi Patel, Bree Illing and Kerr.
Put in to bat in their first international against New Zealand, Scotland got a flying start from opener Darcey Carter, who had 36 runs in a powerplay of 45/0. Carter reached 50 off 37 balls, and two more dropped catches by New Zealand - their 12th and 13th in four games - had Scotland cruising.
