New Zealand Women vs Ireland Women, 13th Match, Group B, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 - CommentaryNZW vs IREW, 13th Match, Group B, ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 - Commentary

So New Zealand stay alive in the tournament. For long periods of this game, that seemed highly unlikely, but they found a way when it mattered most. Ireland were on the verge of history, but perhaps a lack of experience in closing out these situations proved costly. What this tournament has shown though is just how competitive the expanded field has become. Scotland pushed West Indies all the way yesterday and Ireland were one big hit away from sending the defending champions crashing out. The gap between the full members and associate nations is shrinking, and the established teams are being made to work for every win. Things are only going to get more intense from here. We have a triple-header lined up tomorrow with plenty at stake across both groups. Do join us for all the action. Until next time, goodbye and stay safe..

Amelia Kerr | New Zealand captain: Yeah, I think, yeah, disappointing start to the tournament, but today was just about body language and turning up. You can't change the past, and yes, we're disappointed, but we've got to turn up and believe we can still win games of cricket. And also, we're representing our country on the world stage, which is such a special thing to do. So reminding the group of that, and yeah, we bring energy and keep our body language high because there's still a lot to play for. (How are you gonna rectify the mistakes in the next two games?) Yeah, I don't think it's necessarily a couple of trainings. I don't think we'll fix anything. I think we're in a good place as a side. And I think it's just, I guess, more the mental side of the game and holding our nerve in key moments. And today we did that near the back end. But yeah, I think the key for us is being able to hold our nerve when the game's on the line. And unfortunately, the first two games, we didn't do that. (Do you feel there's an opportunity to kick on and make it to the semifinals?) Yeah, there's still mathematically an opportunity. We win three games of cricket and we obviously will need other results to go our way. But as we've seen in this tournament, any team can beat anyone. And I think the standard of this pool, especially the way Ireland and Scotland have played, having not played as many World Cups as other teams, they've been brilliant. And there's no reason why any team can't beat anyone. (On Bates bowling the last over) Yeah, she loves big moments. And she did it in the semi-final at the last T20 World Cup. And she's in the net every day training for her bowling and she's training her death overs. So she's been in situations before when she's done that and we've lost the game. But I really backed her and know how much work she's put into that.

Gaby Lewis | Ireland captain: Yeah, it's hard to reflect straightaway. I think there's a lot of emotion. We want that first win so badly, and we really felt like we're close today. I think it just slipped through the cracks. But yeah, I guess tomorrow when I reflect, also as a team, we did so much right. And yeah, I think it's hard to sum it up right now. (You seemed to have set ideas during the bowling innings) Yeah, I think in terms of preparation, our analysts and coaches do so much help in the bowlers to know every player plays differently. So if we can kind of get that advantage over teams, we really do that. And it paid off today. They were bound to get a partnership here or there, they're reigning champions for a reason, but I think to keep them to 140, it really felt like we could. We had a chance at the innings break. But yeah, in terms of our preparation, it really paid off today. (How did you approach the chase with Prendergast?) We were just waiting for that big over. I think they came in stints. I think we love batting together, we run well together, and I think we backed ourselves to take it as deep as we can then a big over would come, and I guess it just didn't come and we lost wickets at crucial times. And yeah, I guess both of us are really disappointed because we really felt like we should have got our team over the line. (How confident are you that you can get that first victory in this competition?) Yeah, I'm really disappointed. But I think if you look at our three games, we've gotten better every game. I think that's something that we really pride ourselves on. And we've learned from every game. And that's massive. We're such a young group. I know I keep saying it, but we are. And I think the girls are learning. And that's massive. You know, they're putting their hand up. They're taking the opportunities and we're getting better every day. So I guess there is positives to take.

Amelia Kerr | Player of the Match: Yeah, it's been a rollercoaster of emotions. I guess starting the World Cup not how we would have liked, and then today we were really challenged by Ireland. And what a game of cricket, and it's nice to be back here on the winning side. (How did you go about your batting?) Yeah, I thought I had to lower my risk factor a little bit when we were three down, but again, you still have to be positive, you need runs to win games of cricket. So I lowered my risk and it was about keeping the ball along the ground. I do think I got out at a bad time, I was set and it would have been nice to have kicked on, push us to a bigger total. (On her bowling) It is a balancing act in working it out, but I guess I always often come on after the powerplay. And I think the depth in our bowling attack, we saw Bree bowl four in a row, but I thought Jess and Rosemary Mair did really well, which allowed me to kind of hold myself back for that last over near the end.

But New Zealand found a way. Kerr struck the crucial blow by dismissing Prendergast, Lewis fell in the penultimate over, and the pressure mounted instantly. Ireland needed 15 from the final over and New Zealand turned to Suzie Bates, who had not bowled all game. The veteran used all her experience, held her nerve and delivered a remarkable final over to keep New Zealand alive in the tournament. For Ireland, it is heartbreak. The wait for a first T20 World Cup win goes on. For New Zealand, it is a lifeline in their title defence and perhaps the win that could reignite their campaign. Hang around for the post-match interviews..

21:40 Local Time, 20:40 GMT, 02:10 IST: How have Ireland let that slip? They were in complete control for most of the chase and looked set to record their maiden T20 World Cup win. But cricket can be a cruel game. Amelia Kerr broke the 100-plus stand between Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast in the 18th over, and suddenly everything changed. Ireland never recovered from there. The chase didn't begin smoothly with Amy Hunter falling in the second over, but that brought Ireland's two most experienced batters together. Lewis and Prendergast rebuilt patiently, kept the asking rate in check and steadily took New Zealand out of the contest. Both reached well-deserved fifties and added over 100 runs for the second wicket. With 34 needed from the last 4 overs and nine wickets in hand, Ireland were firmly in the driving seat.

FYI, Bates is bowling from round the wicket. Does Little have the big hit in her?

15 from the last over. But who is going to bowl it? Nensi has gone for plenty in her three overs. There is no Devine as well. So Amelia has gone for the most experienced New Zealand player - Suzie Bates - to bowl the most important over. Tense faces in both dugouts. Who is going to hold their nerve? Bates is going to bowl her off-breaks. Amelia has a few calming words for her senior. We are ready to go..

Rosemary Mair to Gaby Lewis, THATS OUT!! Caught!!