NEW ZEALAND HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AGAINST ENGLAND

Media release

While New Zealand could be out of the tournament before they face England on Saturday evening, captain Amelia Kerr believes her side have nothing to lose against the hosts. 

New Zealand currently sit in third place, two points behind the West Indies, who face bottom side Ireland in Bristol at 14:30 local time, while the White Ferns get underway at 18:30. 

Victory for the West Indies would end New Zealand’s title defence at the group stage, but with the White Ferns already ahead on run rate, any slip-up from the Windies would leave the door ajar. 

“I would love to be in a position where we went four from four and know that we are probably going through to the semi-finals, that would have been the ideal result,” the all-rounder said. 

“But, unfortunately, it is not in our hands, and for us, if we are in a situation where we can still qualify, we have nothing to lose.  

“Taking on a good England side, we have been given the opportunity to potentially make the semi-finals, and at the end of the day, we have nothing to lose.” 

England have already qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, having won all four of their games so far. 

Kerr is not expecting much change to the team that have gone unbeaten, although she believes they have been weakened by the continued absence of skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt through injury. 

She added: “I’m sure you still want to put out your best side possible, it is still game prep and game time for those players going into semi-finals cricket.  

“The big question was whether Nat Sciver-Brunt was going to play or not, and I think she will still be resting. That is the big one, and I think they’ll only rest players if they need to. 

“They are a quality side, and Charlie Dean has led the team beautifully with Nat being out.

“Nat is arguably the best cricketer in the world, and she has been in that conversation for a long time.  

“They are a quality side, but any side without Nat does weaken them, but they have got a lot of good players as well.” 

England sit two points clear of the West Indies and could already have top spot sewn up by the time they play New Zealand if the Windies lose, but it will not affect their approach according to Alice Capsey. 

“Every game for England and every game in a World Cup is an opportunity to put your stamp on the tournament,” the all-rounder said. “Every game is so crucial in World Cups, we have seen it in the past.  

“It is another game to up our level, up the intensity. We set pretty high standards for ourselves, and it will be another opportunity to raise those standards even further. 

“It is also another chance to really enjoy being on the pitch together and being in a position where we are playing in a home World Cup and enjoy and embrace those moments.” 

England and six-time champions Australia are the only two sides that have won all four of their games so far. 

However, Capsey insists that England’s desire to top their group has nothing to do with avoiding their old foe. 

She added: “I don’t think there is much focus on the other group. For us, it is about focussing on what we can control, and tomorrow we are controlling how we are going about it against New Zealand.  

“Whatever happens with the how groups lay at the end of the group stage is how they lay.  

“What we have found in this tournament is that every team is putting their hand up, there have been some amazing close games, it has been great to see as a viewer as well as a player."