White Ferns beat Scotland to keep semifinal hopes alive at T20 Women’s World Cup

Wednesday, 24 June 2026

The White Ferns beat Scotland by six wickets in Bristol to keep their hopes of making the T20 Women’s World Cup semifinals alive.

Izzy Sharp hit 62 in a strong partnership with Brooke Halliday (41 not out) to rescue the reigning champions from an early wobble in their run chase.

The White Ferns eliminated Scotland but but will need to topple England in their final group match and hope the West Indies falter elsewhere.

At Bristol: White Ferns 132-4 (I Sharp 62 off 43, B Halliday 41no off 38) beat Scotland 131-7 (D Carter 72no off 52; A Kerr 3-17) by six wickets with 10 balls to spare. Click here for full scoreboard.

Defending champions New Zealand lived to fight another day at the Women's Twenty20 World Cup after Scotland were overcome by six wickets on Wednesday (NZ time).

Reaching the semifinals is still a long shot. The White Ferns must top unbeaten England next Saturday at The Oval and hope the West Indies drop points.

Izzy Sharp and Brooke Halliday pulled New Zealand out of 26-3 in a wretched powerplay with a partnership of 101 that wasn't broken until victory was only five runs away.

Sharp was the aggressor and out for a 43-ball 62, her career-best T20 score, and Halliday was unbeaten on 41 for New Zealand to reach 132-4 with 10 balls to spare.

“What a special knock from Sharp,” New Zealand captain Melie Kerr said. “She has the potential to be one of New Zealand's best ever and the best in the world.”

Scotland were eyeing a 150 total but were pulled back to 131-7 in the last six overs by the bowling of Sophie Devine, Nensi Patel, Bree Illing and Kerr.

Made to bat first in their first international against New Zealand, Scotland got a flying start from opener Darcey Carter, who had 36 runs in a powerplay of 45-0. Carter reached 50 off 37 balls, and two more dropped catches by New Zealand — their 12th and 13th in four games — had Scotland cruising.

Then Devine's first over of medium pace netted two wickets, Scotland were squeezed and Kerr, a victim of one drop, returned in the 19th with a double wicket maiden and finished with 3-17. Carter was stranded on 72 not out.

New Zealand made the 132 target look towering when it was three down in the powerplay and Halliday survived the second ball she faced in the sixth over when her edge only grazed the fingertips of wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce.

Halliday didn't grab a boundary until the 14th, content to let Sharp lead. They accelerated after the 14th over by taking 12, 12 and 12 off the next three overs.

HOW THE MATCH UNFOLDED