England Defeats New Zealand 8 Wickets in Sophie Devine's Final ODI

In the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 match at Visakhapatnam, England defeated New Zealand by eight wickets, marking the final ODI appearance of New Zealand captain Sophie Devine. New Zealand struggled with the bat, getting all out for 168 in 38.2 overs, while England comfortably chased the target in 29.2 overs, with their spinners playing a pivotal role. The match held special significance as a farewell for Devine, who is retiring from ODIs, with the New Zealand team aiming to provide her a memorable send-off despite the loss. New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer highlighted the team's long-term planning for leadership transition following Devine's exit, emphasizing faith in younger players and ongoing leadership discussions. Meanwhile, England, focused on regaining momentum after a loss to Australia, fielded a strong team intent on maintaining their winning streak ahead of the semifinals. The pitch conditions and match context suggested a batting-friendly surface, though New Zealand's batting performance fell short of expectations.