Comm Games: White Ferns take bronze medal

12:08 am on 8 August 2022

The White Ferns have claimed the T20 bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games with an eight-wicket win over England.

New Zealand's Sophie Devine plays a shot during the women's Twenty20 Cricket bronze medal match between New Zealand and England on day ten of the Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England, on August 7, 2022. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)

New Zealand's Sophie Devine plays a shot during the women's Twenty20 Cricket bronze medal match between New Zealand and England. Photo: DARREN STAPLES

Chasing a total of 111, New Zealand scored the required runs in 11.5 overs.

Captain and opening batter Sophie Devine anchored the innings with an unbeaten 51 off 40 balls including six fours and a six.

Suzie Bates chipped in with a quickfire 20 off 10 balls, putting on 54 for the first wicket with Devine.

While Georgia Plimmer could only manage four before departing, Amelia Kerr stepped up with 21 not out off 15 balls to see New Zealand home.

Hayley Jensen led the New Zealand bowlers with figures of 3 for 24, after England won the toss, while Devine contributed 2-11 off three overs and Fran Jonas 2-22 from four.

The White Ferns have only beaten England three times in 22 matches over the last 22 years.

Devine said the result was testament to the team's toughness.

"To finish off the way we did, I think just shows the strength of this group," she told Sky Sport.

"Not many people expected us to get into the semifinals, so to be walking away with a bronze medal is huge.

"This medal's not just this playing group, but everyone that's gone before us as well."

The win was a huge turnaround from their match against England in pool play, where the New Zealanders scored a paltry 71-9 in their 20 overs and England reached their target in the 12th over with the loss of three wickets.