New Zealand knock out Scotland to keep semifinal hopes alive

By Cricketing Country | Posted Posted Jun 23, 2026

Defending champions New Zealand kept their Women's T20 World Cup semifinal hopes alive and ended Scotland's campaign with a six-wicket victory in Bristol on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest target of 132, New Zealand overcame an early wobble to reach 132 for 4 with ten balls to spare after Scotland had been restricted to 131 for 7 despite an unbeaten 72 from Darcey Carter.

Asked to bat first, Scotland made a solid start with Carter dominating the scoring. The opener struck the only six of the innings and raced to 36 of the team's 45 runs in the Powerplay.

However, Lea Tahuhu's landmark 100th T20I wicket broke the opening stand, dismissing Katherine Fraser for 7.

Scotland struggled to maintain momentum after losing captain Kathryn Bryce cheaply, although Sarah Bryce contributed 25 and Carter brought up a well-made half-century.

Sophie Devine then applied the brakes with a superb spell, removing Sarah Bryce and Ailsa Lister in the same over, while Amelia Kerr wrapped up the innings with excellent figures of 3 for 17, including a double-wicket maiden in the 19th over.

Despite Carter carrying her bat for an unbeaten 72, Scotland managed only 131 for 7.

New Zealand's chase began shakily as Kathryn Bryce struck twice with swinging deliveries, removing Amelia Kerr and Isabella Gaze.

Rachel Slater then cleaned up Sophie Devine to leave the defending champions in trouble at 26 for 3.

Scotland could have tightened their grip further, but Sarah Bryce dropped Brooke Halliday when she was on just two.

Halliday and Izzy Sharp then steadied the innings with a crucial partnership, rotating the strike smartly and keeping the required rate under control.

Sharp anchored the chase with a composed 62, reaching her half-century with consecutive boundaries, while Halliday overcame a slow start to finish unbeaten on 41.

The pair added more than 80 runs to take the game away from Scotland. Although Slater and Kathryn Bryce returned in the closing overs, the damage had already been done.

Sharp sealed the momentum with a stylish six over long-off before New Zealand completed the chase with ten deliveries remaining.

The victory keeps New Zealand in contention for a place in the semifinals, while Scotland's hopes ended despite another spirited performance and a brilliant innings from Carter.