Scotland have been knocked out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after New Zealand secured a six-wicket win in Bristol to keep alive their own faint hopes of defending the title.
The impressive Darcey Carter (72no) led an otherwise slow-scoring Scotland top order with her second half-century of the World Cup – helped by a sizeable contribution from Sarah Bryce (25 off 22), but the excellent bowling of Melie Kerr (3-17) and Sophie Devine (2-19) limited the Scots to a below-par total of 131-7 after their 20 overs.
New Zealand, however, were rocked by the dismissal of Kerr (2) by Kathryn Bryce (2-13) after just nine balls, and the wickets of Sophie Devine (1) and Izzy Gaze (16) then left the Black Caps reeling at 31-3 following the powerplay.
Darcey Carter continued her stellar World Cup campaign with another half-ton
However, a brilliant 101-run third-wicket stand from Izzy Sharp (62 off 43) and Brooke Halliday (41no off 38) provided much-needed stability in the next 10 overs as the Black Caps sauntered to victory with 10 balls to spare and secured a second successive World Cup win, in turn ending Scotland’s hopes of progressing from the group.
New Zealand still require help from elsewhere if they want to book a place in the semi-finals, needing either England or West Indies to lose both of their remaining matches.
Those two sides next face each other before a must-win match-up for New Zealand against the tournament hosts to wrap up their group stage.
Melie Kerr celebrates taking the wicket of Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce
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