‘This is madness’: England somehow secures thrilling World Cup victory

England has somehow kept its World Cup campaign alive following a nailbiting one-wicket victory over tournament hosts New Zealand.

Katey Martin of New Zealand. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

England has somehow kept its World Cup campaign alive after securing a thrilling one-wicket victory over hosts New Zealand in Auckland on Sunday.

The defending champions crumbled late in the Eden Park run chase, with a staggering collapse of 5/20 putting the White Ferns within touching distance of a miracle comeback victory.

But England No. 11 Anya Shrubsole held her nerve, scoring an unbeaten 7 not out at the death to help her side chase the 204-run target with 16 balls to spare.

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England won the toss and elected to field first, with Maddy Green top-scoring for New Zealand with an unbeaten 52.

White Ferns captain Sophie Devine retired hurt after suffering a suspected back injury while attempting to turn for a second run in the 15th over.

In response, England was seemingly cruising towards victory at 4/176 in the 41st over when Kiwi spinner Frances Mackay snared three wickets in quick succession to shift momentum firmly back in New Zealand’s favour.

The hosts were suddenly one wicket away from victory after a cataclysmic run out in the 46th over sent veteran all-rounder Katherine Brunt back to the sheds for 6 — England still needed eight runs when Shrubsole joined England tailender Charlie Dean in the middle.

But England skipper Heather Knight and her teammates breathed a sigh of relief when Shrubsole slapped New Zealand seamer Brooke Halliday through the covers for a boundary in the 48th over.

Former Australian captain Mel Jones tweeted: “What’s going on!!!! This is madness.”

Australian leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington posted: “WHAT IS HAPPENING?”

Former England bowler and Fox Cricket presenter Isa Guha tweeted: “This is unbearable.”

WHAT ARE THEY EVEN DOING

— Raf Nicholson (@RafNicholson) March 20, 2022

What. Is. Happening. #CWC22

— Jessica Jonassen (@JJonassen21) March 20, 2022

“Amazing to get this win,” Knight said after the victory. “But credit to the Kiwis, they fought so hard.

“Today was all about the win, and luckily we did that.

“It was nice to get over the line, the bowlers were outstanding, but we have to be better and one of the top order has to go on and do the job.

“There is a bit of relief, we will reflect on what we can do better and we can make it easier but the main thing was getting the win.

“We are building quite nicely and players are performing well, Kate Cross was outstanding, Nat Sciver and the spinners were good. It still has not clicked but hopefully that is to come, and we have two massive must-win games to come.”

Devine confessed the Kiwis were gutted with the defeat, their fourth of the tournament to date.

“We lost three games by 2-3 wickets or a couple of runs here and there,” she said.

“We have one more game left and we will get up for it as it will be our last opportunity to make New Zealand proud.”

Anya Shrubsole and Charlie Dean of England. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr of New Zealand. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

England all-rounder Nat Sciver was named Player of the Match for her crucial 61 and economic nine-over spell of 0/27.

“It’s crazy we got over the line when we probably should not have,” she said.

“I am in shock, there have been so many close games in this tournament. I knew I had to do most of the scoring and stay out there for a long time. It was tough bowling in the windy conditions, and a difficult wicket to find consistency.”

England will next face Pakistan in Christchurch on Thursday, while New Zealand will take on the same opponent in a must-win clash two days later.

Meanwhile, Australia secured its semi-final spot with a nailbiting six-wicket victory over India on Saturday, with captain Meg Lanning scoring a classy 97.

Originally published as ‘This is madness’: England somehow secures thrilling World Cup victory