New Zealand registered their first win of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 with a four-run victory over Ireland in a closely contested Group 2 match in Southampton. After posting 140/6 in 20 overs, New Zealand restricted Ireland to 136 in their allotted overs.
The victory ended New Zealand's run of two consecutive defeats in the tournament, while Ireland suffered their third straight loss. The result also impacted the Group 2 standings, strengthening New Zealand's position while Ireland remained at the bottom of the table.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Ireland made an impressive start by reducing New Zealand to 10/3. Amy Maguire dismissed Georgia Plimer, while Orla Prendergast removed Isabella Gaze and Maddy Green to put New Zealand under pressure.
Following the early setbacks, captain Amelia Kerr steadied the innings with 30 runs from 24 balls, including four boundaries. However, Ireland's bowlers continued to take wickets at regular intervals and prevented New Zealand from building a bigger total.
In the middle order, Brooke Halliday and Izzy Sharp helped New Zealand recover. Halliday scored 34 runs from 37 balls and first added important runs alongside Amelia Kerr. She then shared another crucial partnership with Izzy Sharp for the fifth wicket.
Sharp was New Zealand's top scorer, making 36 runs from 28 balls with four boundaries. In the closing stages of the innings, experienced batter Suzie Bates contributed an unbeaten 19, including a six off the final ball that helped New Zealand reach 140.
Chasing 141, Ireland did not start well as Amy Hunter was dismissed early. Captain Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast then produced an impressive 110-run partnership for the second wicket.
Prendergast scored 59 runs from 53 balls to register a half-century, while Lewis also completed a fifty, combining caution and aggression during her innings. Their partnership put Ireland in a b position and appeared to set the team on course for their first victory of the tournament.
