New Zealand could easily be on the brink of an early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 when they face Ireland in Southampton on Friday. However, the defending champions showed courage to pull off a thrilling four-run win, registering their first win in the tournament after consecutive defeats against West Indies and Sri Lanka.

Defending a modest target of 141 runs, Gabby Lewis and Orla Prendergast put together a 110-run partnership for the second wicket, putting New Zealand under immense pressure. But veteran Suzie Bates used all her experience to defend 15 runs in the final over and give the White Ferns victory.

New Zealand vs Ireland, Women’s T20 World Cup: highlight | Achievement:

Bates, playing her first match of the tournament, also made valuable contributions with the bat and scored an unbeaten 19 runs in 12 balls, which included a six off the last ball of New Zealand’s innings.

The White Ferns adopted an attacking approach at the top of the order, but it backfired as they were reduced to 10 for three within four overs. After this, captain Amelia Kerr, Brooke Halliday, Izzy Sharp and Bates together took over the innings and took New Zealand to a competitive score of 140 runs for six wickets.

‘It was our choice to play aggressively’

Speaking after the match, fast bowler Jess Kerr revealed that New Zealand deliberately chose to play with positive intent despite a poor start to the tournament. He also praised his teammates for showing tremendous character and composure in the death overs when Ireland looked set to snatch the match.

“Yes, look, it was not the start we wanted and it was down to our choice how we wanted to perform today. And T20 cricket doesn’t always go your way, but I think the character the group showed on the last ball speaks volumes about this team and our grit and determination. And yes, really happy to get one on the board today,” Kerr said in the post-match press conference.

‘Fielding disappointed us’

Kerr believes that despite the defeat, New Zealand’s batting and bowling performances in the first two matches were not far from expectations. He admitted that fielding has been the team’s biggest concern but stressed that the players never lost faith in their approach.

Kerr said, “We created chances and we would always like to score more runs and take more wickets, but perhaps the fielding let us down. The professional game is tough and there are always ups and downs, but you have to keep the belief.”

He said that New Zealand is committed to its aggressive playing style and has no intention of abandoning it after two defeats.

“We’ve always said we want to go out and attack and it doesn’t take two defeats to change that approach,” he said.

Still reeling from the opening defeat, New Zealand face Katherine Bryce’s Scotland at the County Ground in Bristol on Tuesday, June 23. But their biggest match will be against England on June 27, a contest that could ultimately decide whether they reach the semi-finals or miss out on the top four.

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