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2:12 AM IST, 9:42 PM local time: That draws curtains on not just New Zealand's title defence but also on three stellar careers. Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu will walk off for one final time as active White Ferns cricketers. They exchange emotion-laden hugs with their mates and are given a guard of honour by the England team and the support staff. 

England win this match by 9 wickets and storm into the semifinals undefeated. Also, this means that West Indies too have qualified for the knockouts. 

The intent from New Zealand was there to be seen. They won the toss, elected to bat first as they felt that runs on the board was the way to go. The openers laid a solid foundation too. Amelia Kerr managed a 34-ball-32, while Izzy Gaze scored a scratchy 27-ball-28. However, they did not lose a wicket until the last ball of the 10th over and that meant that the middle order could attack from the offset. So, they did too. Devine struck a 14-ball-30 which included three towering sixes, while Brooke Halliday managed a sprightly 20 (17). However, England picked wickets in clusters to constantly peg them back. New Zealand lost 3 on the score of 70, and 2 in from 124 to 126. They eventually ended with 163/6.

Danni Gibson picked the best figures of 2/30 (3), but Lauren Bell with 1/24 (4) and Linsey Smith with 0/26 (4) were the most impressive bowlers. 

The run chase should have been more difficult than what England made it look like. Perhaps, it was down to the great form that Danni Wyatt-Hodge is in. Yes, she was helped by a dropped catch from Izzy Gaze earlier, but for the large part, she looked like a million dollars. She played some eye-catching strokes on her way to 89* (53). Sophia Dunkley, who came out to bat after Amy Jones effervescent start was cut short by Nensi Patel, impressed with some cracking shots too. She finished with 48* (39) to her name and the hosts gunned the target down with 16 balls to spare. 

The players and the support staff members of both sides give a guard of honour to three legends - Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu. Emotional scenes here at The Oval as everyone in the stands are on their feet to applaud three outstanding careers.

Player of the Match: Danielle Wyatt-Hodge

Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (Player of the Match): "[Enjoyed her knock tonight?] Yeah, I mean T20 cricket is a fickle game. You have to start fresh every time. I enjoyed playing here with Dunks (Dunkley).

[On the wicket] It's always pretty flat out there. It was coming on nicely. We just tried to back ourselves and our strengths and our intent and tried to enjoy out there.

[Is it her plan to hit over covers?] Well, yeah. I was just telling Isha that I fell off a tree when I was 10. My wrist has grown in a weird way that helps me to hit through there (covers region). I will try to hit the gap and keep going.

[On Bates, Devine and Tahuhu] Suzie Bates was one of my idols growing up. Pretty emotional scenes out there. Sophie and Lea also had incredible careers. Really sad to see them go.

[Ready for the semi-finals?] Yes. We have to wait for the Australia vs India match to see whom we are facing. Put the feet up and watch the football tonight and get ready."

Amelia Kerr (New Zealand Women Captain): "[On Bates, Devine and Tahuhu retirement] Yeah, I think that's probably the saddest part of it was three legends leave the game. The service given to the shirts and around the world, they will be missed. We have to make sure that we enjoy tonight.

[On learning from those 3 veterans] I have learnt so much coming into the White Ferns as a kid, they were welcoming me. I was fortunate to play alongside them. I feel grateful to be with them in the change room.

[Thoughts on tonight's game?] Obviously, Ireland gave us a chance to make it to the semis and it was in our hands. We had a platform with the bat but lost a few wickets quickly. But with 160, if we had bowled well, we would have given ourselves a chance. Danni played really well and gave too much width with the ball.

[Reason behind batting first?] If you look at the conditions now, it skidded on more. But I think it doesn't change much in T20 cricket. If we had bowled tighter, it would have been different.

[On their campaign] We can recognize that it has been a disappointing tournament for us. There is a lot to work on. If we can get 5% better in the field and with the bat and with the ball, it would be great. There is a lot of talent in this young team."

Charlie Dean (England Women captain): "(On entering the semifinals undefeated) Brilliant. That is what we sat out to do. We wanted to top the group and to do it in front of a packed crowd was awesome. 

(On Danni Wyatt-Hodge) To be fair, she is not sleeping much and still scoring runs. The way she has pushed her game is amazing. She is an ultimate 360-degree player now. Great to see that. 

(The secret to success?) Everyone stepping up at different times. Different people have contributed in batting. Also, we know roles as bowling unit well. And we have done well so far.

(Learnings from the conditions today) There is always that extra bounce at The Oval. As bowlers, there is a very small margin for errors. We need to be accurate with our lines. As batters, we can throw our hands at the ball. 

(Will they be watching England play at the Men's FIFA WC tonight?) Hopefully, we can go to the pub and watch them. We'll all have Diet Coke, of course."

We witnessed history at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup today. Earlier, in their fifth appearance at the marquee tournament, Ireland registered their first ever win by beating West Indies. At the Oval, 21,018 spectators saw England beat New Zealand — this was the highest attendance ever for a Women's T20 WC group match. (Of course, the 86,000+ at the MCG in the final of 2020 is still peerless.)

Perhaps, it was only fitting that we had such a great crowd to witness the last international game that Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates and Lea Tahuhu played. With the defending champions being knocked out, those three have retired from international cricket. 

The last result not only meant that England have reached the semifinals undefeated, but also that West Indies are the second team from this group to qualify. From the other group, Australia seem like a certainty. Will they be joined by India or South Africa? The two matches scheduled for tomorrow will decide that

Do join us for South Africa vs Bangladesh and then, Australia vs India. For now, this is the troika of Darpan Tikiya, Akshay Bhide and Zeeshan Naiyer saying goodbye. See you soon.