White Ferns Secure First Win Against Bangladesh in World Cup Clash

The New Zealand White Ferns achieved a crucial victory in the Women’s Cricket World Cup, defeating Bangladesh by 100 runs in Guwahati. Captain Sophie Devine played a pivotal role, scoring a determined 63 runs that contributed significantly to her team’s total. This marked New Zealand’s first win of the tournament, alleviating some pressure after consecutive losses to defending champions Australia and South Africa.

After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first on a challenging pitch. They faced early struggles, finding themselves at 38-3, but Devine steadied the innings with a resilient performance. Partnering with Brooke Halliday, who recorded a top score of 69, they formed a crucial 112-run partnership. Devine’s innings was gritty, comprising 63 runs off 85 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

Devine, who manages Type 1 diabetes, demonstrated her tenacity even when play was interrupted for her to check her blood sugar levels. “With diabetes, it’s always a bit of a balancing act,” she explained. “I had to take a few jelly beans and Coke to get going. It wasn’t the prettiest innings, but sometimes you’ve got to do it ugly.” Her efforts proved instrumental, helping to build a competitive total that ultimately set the stage for victory.

New Zealand’s innings was bolstered by contributions from Suzie Bates, who scored 29 runs before a run-out halted her progress. Halliday continued the momentum, hitting five fours and a six, ensuring the team finished with a total of 223 runs.

In response, Bangladesh struggled significantly. Their batting lineup faltered, with their top five batters failing to reach double figures. The team managed to score their first boundary only after 15 overs, a clear indication of the pressure exerted by New Zealand’s bowlers. Jess Kerr was particularly effective, taking 3 wickets for just 21 runs, while Lea Tahuhu mirrored that success with figures of 3-22. Bangladesh’s innings collapsed, with leg-spinner Fahima Khatun being the lone bright spot, top-scoring with 34 runs before being dismissed.

Following this match, New Zealand finds itself in fifth place in the eight-team tournament, tied on points with Bangladesh, who sit one position below. The White Ferns will now head to Colombo to face Sri Lanka and Pakistan before concluding their group stage in Mumbai against hosts India and England.

Bangladesh’s captain Nigar Sultana expressed disappointment with her team’s performance, stating, “Our batting is not consistent. The lower order has done a decent job, but the top order needs to shoulder more responsibility.” With upcoming matches against South Africa and Australia in Visakhapatnam, the team will need to quickly regroup and improve their performance.

This victory not only boosts the morale of the White Ferns but also reinforces their competitive spirit as they advance in the tournament. The confidence gained from this match could prove essential as they continue their World Cup journey.