New Zealand pulled off a six-wicket win over Scotland in their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group 2 match at County Ground, Bristol, on June 23. The victory kept New Zealand’s semi-final hopes alive, while Scotland was eliminated from contention.
Scotland squad were put in to bat after New Zealand won the toss. They posted 131 for 7 in 20 overs, with Darcey Carter carrying her bat for an unbeaten 72 off 52 balls. New Zealand chased the target down in 18.2 overs, finishing at 132 for 4.
Carter’s Lone Battle Not Enough for Scotland
Scotland’s innings never found a consistent footing despite a solid start. Carter and Katherine Fraser put on 51 in the first seven overs, but Fraser was dismissed for 7, caught off Lea Tahuhu. Kathryn Bryce followed for 5, caught at deep backward square leg off Melie Kerr’s googly.
Carter kept Scotland’s total respectable almost on her own. Sarah Bryce added a brisk 25 before being trapped lbw by Sophie Devine in the 15th over. Ailsa Lister went two balls later, chipping Devine to long-on. Megan McColl was bowled by Nensi Patel, and Priyanaz Chatterji fell lbw to Melie Kerr after failing to sweep her four times over.
Melie Kerr was the pick of New Zealand’s bowlers, taking 3 for 17 in four overs. Devine finished with 2 for 19. Carter hit the last over for ten runs to end unbeaten on 72, but Scotland could only manage 131 for 7.
Scotland Strike Early as New Zealand Wobble at 26 for 3
New Zealand’s chase started disastrously. Kathryn Bryce struck in each of her first two overs — Melie Kerr chipped to mid-on for 2, and Isabella Gaze picked out the same fielder trying to clear the rope. Rachel Slater then bowled Sophie Devine through the gap between bat and pad for 1. New Zealand were 26 for 3 inside six overs.
Scotland smelled an upset. The target was modest, but three quick wickets had completely altered the equation. New Zealand needed someone to absorb pressure and rebuild — and that task fell to Izzy Sharp and Brooke Halliday.
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Sharp-Halliday Stand of 101 Seals the Chase
Sharp, who had been New Zealand’s top scorer against Ireland earlier in the tournament, held firm from the start. She put away the loose deliveries and rotated strike steadily as Halliday settled in at the other end. The pair batted through the middle overs, building a fourth-wicket partnership that reached 101.
Sharp brought up her fifty off 38 balls, hitting Kirstie Gordon’s leg side for her seventh four. She went on to a career-best 62 off 43 balls, hitting eight fours and a six. Halliday finished unbeaten on 41 off 38 balls. Between them, they turned a crisis into a controlled chase.
New Zealand reached the target in the 19th over, winning by six wickets with ten balls to spare. The win pushed their net run rate into positive territory. They now need to beat England in their final group match and rely on other results to secure a semi-final spot. Scotland, meanwhile, exit the tournament.
The match also saw Lea Tahuhu take her 100th T20I wicket, becoming the latest New Zealand player to reach the landmark.
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