England’s U19 women’s cricket team had sealed a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 with a six-wicket dominating win over New Zealand. The match, played at the Borneo Cricket Ground, was all about the display of all-round excellence by England as they took apart New Zealand with disciplined bowling and composed batting.
New Zealand batted first as England’s bowlers did not let them breathe. Opener Kate Irwin gave her side a decent start, scoring 35 off 26 balls, but her dismissal in the ninth over triggered a collapse. Trudy Johnson, England’s pacer, struck twice in quick succession, while off-spinner Prisha Thanawala controlled the middle overs with her accurate line and length. Thanawala claimed figures of 3 for 19, while Tilly Corteen-Coleman delivered a stunning performance, taking 4 wickets for just 8 runs. New Zealand struggled to build partnerships and were eventually restricted to 89 runs in their 20 overs.
Confidence laid the foundation of England’s chase as openers Davina Perrin and Jemima Spence set the platform. Perrin put away 21, and the big hitter Spence scored 29 to steady the ship. A few quick wickets in the middle overs did little to ruffle the composure of the rest of the England batters as they chased down the target in just 11.4 overs. The easy six-wicket win showed that England had adequately balanced their squad.
This victory did not only guarantee England’s place in the semi-finals but also made their good form evident in the tournament. The bowling department has been the major asset of this campaign, and both Corteen-Coleman and Thanawala have led them. The batting order has consistently done the job at crucial moments.
England now joins India, Australia, and South Africa in the semi-finals, promising a thrilling end to the tournament. With their balanced performances and the momentum with them, all seems good for England to make a strong for the championship.
As the competition dwindles to its final stages, England needs to be consistent and adapt to various challenges which will prove more crucial than anything else. Their victory over New Zealand is a testament to their preparation and determination. Thus, they stand as one of the teams to watch in the hunt for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 trophy.