The touching tribute drew warm applause from the packed crowd as the trio walked through the guard of honour one final time in New Zealand colours.
England Women may have ended New Zealand Women’s title defence at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, but what followed after the final ball proved that some moments transcend results.
After sealing a comprehensive nine-wicket victory at The Oval and knocking the defending champions out of the tournament, England players lined up alongside the New Zealand squad to give an emotional guard of honour to three of the White Ferns’ greatest-ever cricketers: Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu, who brought the curtain down on their illustrious international careers.
The touching tribute drew warm applause from the packed crowd as the trio walked through the guard of honour one final time in New Zealand colours. It was a fitting farewell for three players who have been instrumental in shaping the modern era of women’s cricket and inspiring a generation of cricketers around the world.
The trio leave behind remarkable legacies. Devine established herself as one of the finest all-rounders in women’s cricket with her fearless batting, effective pace bowling, and inspirational leadership. Bates enjoyed one of the longest and most successful careers in the game, setting benchmarks for consistency across formats, while Tahuhu earned a reputation as one of the fastest and fiercest pace bowlers to represent New Zealand.
Collectively, Devine, Bates, and Tahuhu amassed 448 T20I appearances, underlining the immense experience and influence they brought to the White Ferns over the years.
While Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s unbeaten 89 powered England to victory and booked their place in the semi-finals, the lasting image from the evening was the emotional farewell accorded to Devine, Bates, and Tahuhu. As they walked off the international stage together, they did so surrounded by teammates, opponents, and fans united in appreciation of three extraordinary careers.
From Group B, England and West Indies have booked their places into the semifinals of the ongoing World Cup. On the other hand, no one has qualified yet from Group A consisting of Australia, India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Pakistan.
Also Check: Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Match 30, AUS W vs IND W Match Prediction
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