Article #63785

• Group B: England, 164-1, bt New Zealand, 163-6, by nine wkts

• Opener scores unbeaten 89 to oust defending champions

New Zealand’s World Cup title defence came to a soggy end at the Oval on Saturday night, as England danced home by nine wickets in a one-sided hammering thanks to a 128-run partnership between Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophia Dunkley. The crowd of 21,018 was a record for a Women’s T20 World Cup group-stage match.

England have topped Group B and will more than likely face either India or South Africa in next week’s semi-final, pending the result of Sunday’s Group A clash between Australia and India. The result also means that West Indies have qualified for the semi-finals at New Zealand’s expense.