England have all but knocked New Zealand out of the Womens Cricket World Cup after beating them by one wicket at Eden Park.
The reigning World Champions looked to be cruising in their run chase, before late drama made for a frantic finish to the match.
Anya Shrubsole celebrates the winning runs Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga 2022 Photosport Ltd
After losing the toss at Eden Park and being sent into bat, New Zealand made a fast start to the innings, reaching 50 in the 10th over without loss..
Suzie Bates was out caught from an agressive shot in the 12th over for 22.
Momentum was lost when fellow opener Sophie Devine retired hurt on 37 from 42 balls with a back injury obtained while running between wickets.
Scoring slowed significantly through the middle of the innings as the English bowlers stemmed the flow of runs and took timely wickets at regular intervals.
Amelia Kerr and Amy Sattherwaite made starts before both falling for 24.
To the home crowds delight, Sophie Devine returned in the 39th over with the team struggling at 155-6.
Clearly hurting, Devine swung for the fences, but the comeback was shortlived she was caught on the boundary from the bowling of Kate Cross for 41.
Middle order batter Maddy Green held steady with an unbeaten 52 from 75 balls, but was unable to form any meaningful partnerships with her partners falling around her.
Number 11 Jess Kerr showed grit at the crease to help the hosts pass 200 before being run out in the 49th over for 13, New Zealand limping to 203 all out.
England made a strong start to their run chase, reaching 53-1 in the tenth over before Lee Tahuhu dismissed the dangerous Tammy Beaumont for 25 with the last ball of the powerplay.
Just as the English looked to be cruising toward victory at 98 for 2 in the 23rd over, spinner Frankie Mackay trapped Heather Knight LBW for 42 to offer New Zealand some hope.
Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Brooke Haliday then dismissed English keeper Amy Jones soon after, and it looked as if the run chase would become a close one. Nat Sciver and Sophia Dunkley put on 70 for the fifth wicket, and by the time Dunkley was dismissed by Mackay for 33, England had reached 176-5.
Scriver got England to within 17 of their target before she was bowled by Jessica Kerr for a well compiled 61.
Things started heating up as rain began to fall in the 45th over. Frankie Mackay bowled Sophie Eccleston for no score before trapping Kate Cross LBW for 2, England at 194-8 still requiring 10 runs to win.
The English nerves were apparrant in following over when Katherine Brunt was run out pushing for a second run that wasn't there. Maddy Green fired the ball into Katey Martin who whipped the bails off with a diving Brunt still half a metre short of her ground.
Suddenly New Zealand looked like they could snatch the unlikliest of victories, with England still requiring another eight runs with just one wicket remaining.
England number 11 Anya Shrubsole rose to the challenge when her team need her most, stroking a boundary through cover off Brooke Haliday to level the scores before hitting the next ball to the midwicket boundary to seal the match.
Celebrations ensued for the English, a devestated New Zealand side left to rue leaving their come back too late.
The result sees Englands chances of advancing to the semi-finals alive, as they look to defend the title they won at home in 2017.
New Zealand are sixth in the standings and will play their last game of the World Cup against Pakistan next Saturday.
For New Zealand to make the semi-finals they would need both England to lose Pakistan and India to lose to Bangladesh.
