Devine Bats First in Farewell ODI as England Bring in Wyatt-Hodge
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine marked her farewell to one-day international cricket by winning the toss and choosing to bat against England in their final group-stage clash of the Women’s World Cup.
It’s an emotional occasion for Devine, who plays her 159th and final ODI after an illustrious career. While New Zealand have missed out on a semi-final berth, the White Ferns are determined to send off their inspirational leader with a memorable win.
“There have already been a few tears, but I want to go out there and enjoy it and play with a smile on my face,” Devine said at the toss. “It looks a great cricket wicket. We want to put runs on the board and then hopefully restrict England.”
New Zealand have named an unchanged XI, sticking with the same combination that featured in their previous match.
England, meanwhile, have opted for one final tweak before their semi-final against South Africa in Guwahati on Wednesday. Experienced all-rounder Danni Wyatt-Hodge returns to the ODI side, replacing Emma Lamb, who has struggled to adapt to a middle-order role after being used primarily as an opener.
Wyatt-Hodge, who boasts 300 international appearances across formats including 118 ODIs, plays her first 50-over match since the 2023–24 Ashes tour of Australia.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt acknowledged the difficulty of making a change so close to the knockout stage but expressed confidence in the veteran’s inclusion.
“Making a change in the last game before a semi-final is a bit tough on the person coming in, but Danni’s got a lot of experience,” Sciver-Brunt said. “We’d have liked to bat first too, but we’ll look to make the most of the conditions.”
Playing XIs
New Zealand: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine (capt), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson
England: Amy Jones (wk), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell
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