Women’s World Cup 2025: Top 3 player battles to watch out for in match 27

England and New Zealand will clash in the 27th match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 tournament at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, on October 26, 2025.

New Zealand are out of the running for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals, whilst England qualified for the knockout round after defeating India in their league game in Indore. However, they are coming off a setback to Australia and will be trying to win their final league game to advance to the semi-finals.

New Zealand exited the battle for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals after losing to India in their final league encounter. This will be New Zealand’s final league game and captain Sophie Devine’s final ODI, as she announced her retirement from the format prior to the tournament’s start. New Zealand will want to give Devine a fitting send-off with a victory over England.

Here are the top 3 player battles to watch out for in match 27 of the Women’s World Cup 2025:

1. Heather Knight vs Lea Tahuhu

Heather Knight has been on fire, scoring 255 runs at an average of 63.75, including one fifty and one ton, with the highest score of 109. Knight has been one of the best batters in this ICC Women’s World Cup. She has given England the kind of starts they needed, both batting first and while chasing. She has been the anchor around whom other England batters played.

Lea Tahuhu has been the best bowler for New Zealand Women, with nine wickets at an economy of 4.93 and best bowling figures of 3/22. Tahuhu, one of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket, has been doing much to give New Zealand the best chances to win matches. Three rained-out matches hurt New Zealand, but also poor bowling was one reason as well, besides the brilliant Tahuhu.

2. Sophie Devine vs Sophie Ecclestone

Sophie Devine did all she could to make her final ICC Women’s World Cup a memorable one. She led from the front, scoring 266 runs at an average of 66.50 in six games, including one ton and two fifties, with the best score of 112. She also picked three wickets. However, it all ended in a heartbreak as her bat failed her against India, and New Zealand exited the World Cup. She will want to play her final ODI well and bid goodbye to the format on a high.

Sophie Ecclestone has taken 11 wickets at an economy of 3.95 in six games, with the best bowling figures of 4/17. She has taken full advantage of the spin-friendly pitches in India, and the slowness of the surface and her bowling speeds made batters uneasy facing her left-arm spin. She will be the best counter to her namesake in her final ODI.

3. Charlie Dean vs Brooke Halliday

Charlie Dean has been brilliant with 124 runs at an average of 41.33 and has taken seven wickets in six games, with best bowling figures of 2/14 and a highest score of 33. Dean has developed into a fine all-rounder, and England has found a gem to take their game forward in Dean.

Brooke Halliday has done well in the middle order, scoring 223 runs at an average of 55.75, including two fifties, with the best score of 81. She gave it her all to keep New Zealand alive in the tournament, with her brilliant knock against India, but the total was too much, especially after the in-form batters got out for cheap.