119/6 (17.3)
CR : 6.80
118/9 (20.0)
CR : 5.90
England Women won by 4 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Sophie Ecclestone
3/22
Over 18
England Women 119/6
Charlie Dean4(3)
Danielle Gibson4(7)
Alice Tector0-20(2.3)
ENGW won by 4 wickets
3:05 AM IST, 10:35 PM Local Time: There you go. England make it two wins in a row in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. After beating Sri Lanka comprehensively, they beat Ireland tonight by 4 wickets to retain their top spot in Group B. They had to work hard for tonight’s victory but will be pleased with how they have started their home World Cup.
After more than an hour’s rain delay, the action began. Ireland got off to a shaky start, losing their top three batters in Amy Hunter (6), Alana Dalzell (14) and skipper Gaby Lewis (0) inside the powerplay. Orla Prendergast (26) and Rebecca Stokell (9) tried to resurrect the innings but both fell in a quick succession.
England kept picking regular wickets to dent Ireland’s progress. Louise Little (26* off 15) played a fine cameo at the back end of the innings to power Ireland to 118/9 at the end of their 20 overs. For England, Sophie Ecclestone (3/22) picked up three wickets whereas Charlie Dean (2/11) and Danielle Gibson (2/10) grabbed two each.
Just like Ireland, England too lost three wickets inside the powerplay. Openers Amy Jones (9) and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (16) got starts but failed to carry one. Alice Capsey (5) got cleaned up in the final over of the powerplay. Nat Sciver-Brunt was joined by Heather Knight and both started building a partnership for the hosts.
The English pair used all the experience and kept ticking the scoreboard to take England closer to the target. Knight fell on 26 as the 64-run stand came to an end in the 14th over. In the 16th, Sciver-Brunt got retired out on 48. Freya Kemp (2) got run out in the next before Danielle Gibson (4*) and Charlie Dean (4*) provided the finishing touches to the chase.
For Ireland, Aimee Maguire (2/23) and Orla Prendergast (2/17) bowled with a lot of heart and grabbed two scalps each but it wasn't enough as there weren't enough runs on the board. As a result, the Irish side suffered its second loss of this year's competition.
Stick around for the post-match presentation.
After more than an hour’s rain delay, the action began. Ireland got off to a shaky start, losing their top three batters in Amy Hunter (6), Alana Dalzell (14) and skipper Gaby Lewis (0) inside the powerplay. Orla Prendergast (26) and Rebecca Stokell (9) tried to resurrect the innings but both fell in a quick succession.
England kept picking regular wickets to dent Ireland’s progress. Louise Little (26* off 15) played a fine cameo at the back end of the innings to power Ireland to 118/9 at the end of their 20 overs. For England, Sophie Ecclestone (3/22) picked up three wickets whereas Charlie Dean (2/11) and Danielle Gibson (2/10) grabbed two each.
Just like Ireland, England too lost three wickets inside the powerplay. Openers Amy Jones (9) and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (16) got starts but failed to carry one. Alice Capsey (5) got cleaned up in the final over of the powerplay. Nat Sciver-Brunt was joined by Heather Knight and both started building a partnership for the hosts.
The English pair used all the experience and kept ticking the scoreboard to take England closer to the target. Knight fell on 26 as the 64-run stand came to an end in the 14th over. In the 16th, Sciver-Brunt got retired out on 48. Freya Kemp (2) got run out in the next before Danielle Gibson (4*) and Charlie Dean (4*) provided the finishing touches to the chase.
For Ireland, Aimee Maguire (2/23) and Orla Prendergast (2/17) bowled with a lot of heart and grabbed two scalps each but it wasn't enough as there weren't enough runs on the board. As a result, the Irish side suffered its second loss of this year's competition.
Stick around for the post-match presentation.
Player of the Match: Sophie Ecclestone
Sophie Ecclestone (POTM): (Her thoughts on the win) "It is obviously so nice to get a win. Hope, we keep it going.
(On completing 150 T20I wickets) I wasn't really aware of that milestone, so it's obviously very nice to hear. But the main thing is contributing to the team's success, and hopefully we can make it three wins from three next time out.
(Her role in the side) Hopefully, keep taking wickets. I think we have got a great spin bowling as well as a seam bowling attack. It's an exciting time and let's keep moving in the right direction."
(On completing 150 T20I wickets) I wasn't really aware of that milestone, so it's obviously very nice to hear. But the main thing is contributing to the team's success, and hopefully we can make it three wins from three next time out.
(Her role in the side) Hopefully, keep taking wickets. I think we have got a great spin bowling as well as a seam bowling attack. It's an exciting time and let's keep moving in the right direction."
Gaby Lewis (Ireland Women captain): "(On the score they put on the board) We knew, it was under par. We wanted to get to 150. The last over helped us. But after the powerplay (in the bowling innings), we felt, another 20 runs and it was on. Overall, proud of the girls.
(What do they need to correct going forward?) Our batting. The powerplay was not ideal. You obviously want to lay a platform for the middle order to flourish. Bowling wise, the energy was on point.
(On the road ahead) We just got to focus on positives. With ball, young Aimee Maguire coming in, was excellent. If she plays big teams like England more often, she will learn and get better.
(On understanding the conditions at this venue as their next game is here too) Yes, it was a great to play here. For instance, adjusting to the lights. Some of the girls might have not played under lights even. So yea, we take the positives and move on."
(What do they need to correct going forward?) Our batting. The powerplay was not ideal. You obviously want to lay a platform for the middle order to flourish. Bowling wise, the energy was on point.
(On the road ahead) We just got to focus on positives. With ball, young Aimee Maguire coming in, was excellent. If she plays big teams like England more often, she will learn and get better.
(On understanding the conditions at this venue as their next game is here too) Yes, it was a great to play here. For instance, adjusting to the lights. Some of the girls might have not played under lights even. So yea, we take the positives and move on."
Nat Sciver-Brunt (England Women Captain): "[2 in 2. Nice start, isn't it?] Yeah, 2 different games. Happy to get over the line.
[What pleased you the most about today's win?] I think the way the bowlers took the game on. Took wickets throughout the innings. Even they had plans to take the game away from us. The wicket was good. But nice to the bowlers control the game.
[What was the reason behind her getting retired out?] Just as precautionary. Felt tightness in the calf.
[On the group standings] We can't take any game lightly. We have found out in the last T20 World Cup. It came down to the NRR. Looking forward to keep going in the same way."
[What pleased you the most about today's win?] I think the way the bowlers took the game on. Took wickets throughout the innings. Even they had plans to take the game away from us. The wicket was good. But nice to the bowlers control the game.
[What was the reason behind her getting retired out?] Just as precautionary. Felt tightness in the calf.
[On the group standings] We can't take any game lightly. We have found out in the last T20 World Cup. It came down to the NRR. Looking forward to keep going in the same way."
Trivia: Nat Sciver-Brunt became the first player to be retired out in the history of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and the first for England in WT20Is when she retired on 48 against Ireland at Southampton today.
That brings
an end to our coverage of this game. It was pleasure bringing you all the
updates from this action-filled day at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. A
triple-header day awaits us all tomorrow. Do join us for that.
For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Darpan Tikiya, scorer Raju Khariya and statistician Aman. Bye bye.
For now, this is Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of my co-commentator Darpan Tikiya, scorer Raju Khariya and statistician Aman. Bye bye.