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WWC 2025 Semi-Finals LOCKED: Clinical England Knock Out Kiwis, Rain Rescues India as Bangladesh Bow Out!
Summary: What a day of contrasting fortunes! England secured their semi-final spot with pure skill, absolutely crushing New Zealand by 8 wickets. Meanwhile, Team India booked their place thanks to the weather gods, as their crucial match against Bangladesh was washed out. We have our semi-finalists!
The league stage of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 has concluded with a day of high-octane drama, clinical precision, and nail-biting weather-watching. It was a tale of two crucial matches that decided the fate of four teams. In the end, England and India emerged triumphant, booking their places in the semi-finals, while New Zealand and Bangladesh faced the bitter pill of elimination.
Here’s the full breakdown of how all the action unfolded.
In what was a virtual knockout match in Visakhapatnam, England brought their A-game.
New Zealand, after winning the toss and opting to bat, simply crumbled under pressure. Their decision to bat first backfired spectacularly against a disciplined English bowling attack. Georgia Plimmer (43) and Amelia Kerr (35) were the only batters who showed any real resistance.
The star with the ball was left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who was unplayable, finishing with incredible figures of 3 wickets for just 30 runs. She was perfectly supported by Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/31) and Alice Capsey (2/34), who choked the run flow. Sophie Ecclestone, despite bowling just 0.4 overs, grabbed the final wicket to bowl New Zealand out for a well-below-par 168.
England’s chase was a statement of intent. While they lost Tammy Beaumont (40) and Heather Knight (33), wicket-keeper Amy Jones was in a league of her own.
Playing a flawless, "Player of the Match" innings, Jones anchored the chase with a sublime unbeaten 86 off 92 balls. Her knock, laced with 11 boundaries and a confident six, completely took the game away from the Kiwis. She ensured there were no late-game hiccups, guiding England home in just 29.2 overs.
This dominant 8-wicket victory not only secured England's semi-final spot but also sent a powerful warning to the other teams in the knockout stage. For New Zealand, it's a heartbreaking end to their World Cup campaign.
All eyes then shifted to Navi Mumbai, where India faced Bangladesh in another must-win encounter. The equation was simple: a win would see India through.
India won the toss and put Bangladesh into bat, a decision that proved spot on. The Indian bowlers were all over the Bangladesh batters from the first ball. Radha Yadav was the wrecker-in-chief, spinning a web to claim 3 crucial wickets. Shree Charani (2/23) and Amanjot Kaur (1/18) were also economical and effective, restricting Bangladesh to just 119/9 in a rain-shortened 27-over game.
Set a target that never looked threatening, India's openers came out with positive intent. Smriti Mandhana was on fire, racing to 34 not out from just 27 balls, hitting 6 beautiful boundaries. India was cruising at 57/0 in only 8.4 overs, well ahead of any required rate.
And then, the rain returned-this time for good.
As the covers came on and the wait began, calculations started. With no further play possible, the match was officially abandoned.
The "No Result" meant both teams had to share one point each. That single point was pure gold for Team India, as it was just enough to push them past the cutoff and secure their place in the semi-finals.
For Bangladesh, it was the most painful way to get knocked out. Despite being in an unwinnable position in the match, the washout meant they didn't get the chance to lose, but the single point wasn't enough to save their World Cup dreams.
The knockout stages are now set. England and India have punched their tickets, and the battle for the ultimate prize gets even more intense from here!
The league stage of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 has concluded with a day of high-octane drama, clinical precision, and nail-biting weather-watching. It was a tale of two crucial matches that decided the fate of four teams. In the end, England and India emerged triumphant, booking their places in the semi-finals, while New Zealand and Bangladesh faced the bitter pill of elimination.
Here’s the full breakdown of how all the action unfolded.
Match 1: Jones Stars as England Demolish Kiwis
ENGW vs NZW | Result: England Women won by 8 wickets
In what was a virtual knockout match in Visakhapatnam, England brought their A-game.
New Zealand, after winning the toss and opting to bat, simply crumbled under pressure. Their decision to bat first backfired spectacularly against a disciplined English bowling attack. Georgia Plimmer (43) and Amelia Kerr (35) were the only batters who showed any real resistance.
The star with the ball was left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, who was unplayable, finishing with incredible figures of 3 wickets for just 30 runs. She was perfectly supported by Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/31) and Alice Capsey (2/34), who choked the run flow. Sophie Ecclestone, despite bowling just 0.4 overs, grabbed the final wicket to bowl New Zealand out for a well-below-par 168.
The Chase: An Amy Jones Masterclass
England’s chase was a statement of intent. While they lost Tammy Beaumont (40) and Heather Knight (33), wicket-keeper Amy Jones was in a league of her own.
Playing a flawless, "Player of the Match" innings, Jones anchored the chase with a sublime unbeaten 86 off 92 balls. Her knock, laced with 11 boundaries and a confident six, completely took the game away from the Kiwis. She ensured there were no late-game hiccups, guiding England home in just 29.2 overs.
This dominant 8-wicket victory not only secured England's semi-final spot but also sent a powerful warning to the other teams in the knockout stage. For New Zealand, it's a heartbreaking end to their World Cup campaign.
Match 2: Rain Plays Decider as India Squeeze Through
INDW vs BANW | Result: No Result (Match Abandoned)
All eyes then shifted to Navi Mumbai, where India faced Bangladesh in another must-win encounter. The equation was simple: a win would see India through.
India won the toss and put Bangladesh into bat, a decision that proved spot on. The Indian bowlers were all over the Bangladesh batters from the first ball. Radha Yadav was the wrecker-in-chief, spinning a web to claim 3 crucial wickets. Shree Charani (2/23) and Amanjot Kaur (1/18) were also economical and effective, restricting Bangladesh to just 119/9 in a rain-shortened 27-over game.
The Chase and the Agonising Wait
Set a target that never looked threatening, India's openers came out with positive intent. Smriti Mandhana was on fire, racing to 34 not out from just 27 balls, hitting 6 beautiful boundaries. India was cruising at 57/0 in only 8.4 overs, well ahead of any required rate.
And then, the rain returned-this time for good.
As the covers came on and the wait began, calculations started. With no further play possible, the match was officially abandoned.
The Consequence: Joy for India, Heartbreak for Bangladesh
The "No Result" meant both teams had to share one point each. That single point was pure gold for Team India, as it was just enough to push them past the cutoff and secure their place in the semi-finals.
For Bangladesh, it was the most painful way to get knocked out. Despite being in an unwinnable position in the match, the washout meant they didn't get the chance to lose, but the single point wasn't enough to save their World Cup dreams.
The knockout stages are now set. England and India have punched their tickets, and the battle for the ultimate prize gets even more intense from here!
Keywords: ICC Womens World Cup 2025, INDW vs BANW, ENGW vs NZW, Women's Cricket Semi-Finals, India Women Qualify, England Women Qualify, New Zealand Eliminated, Bangladesh Eliminated, Amy Jones, Radha Yadav, Smriti Mandhana, Cricket News
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