The silver lining in Kiwis' mixed T20 World Cup campaign
Despite suffering two tough losses at the T20 World Cup, New Zealand can see the positives in the face of adversity.
New Zealand v Scotland | Catch The Spirit Match Preview | Women's T20WC 2026
ICC Digital Insider Crystal Arnold previws the match between reigning champions New Zealand and Scotland at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup
New Zealand are attempting an epic comeback mission after multiple setbacks of their ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign.
First up, the West Indies chased down the Kiwis' total of 162 with a ball to spare, leaving the reigning tournament champions in despair.
Scorecard: New Zealand v West Indies
West Indies down New Zealand in a final-over thriller | Match Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026
Then, it went from bad to worse as Sri Lanka also staged a final-over breakthrough chase.
Having scraped home against Ireland, there is still a slim chance New Zealand can reach the knockout stage. But on top of needing other results to go their way, a win against Scotland is paramount.
Showing maturity beyond her years, young gun Izzy Sharp has recognised how their tournament losses have in fact galvanised the touring squad.
"Yeah, I think we have to acknowledge that it was a bit of a disappointing start, not what we wanted," Sharp told media.
"I think you see a proper team culture when you lose games and there's a different morale in the team. I think obviously when you're winning everyone's happy, but it's how you come together when you're losing and it's not going well for you. And I think as a team we've been really good. We've stayed close. We know that we're, as a unit, a pretty tight team. So it's been really cool.
"We know we're better than that, but I think it's just keeping the vibes high. We have been— like I said, we know we're better than that, so trainings have just been real focus on what we know we're good at, and we've done all the hard work, so it's just about coming together as a team, performing as a team, and yeah, awesome. It's good."
Melie Kerr turns the tide in Southampton | Aramco POTM Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026
Melie Kerr's handy knock of 30 with the bat and two crucial wickets against Ireland make her the Player of the Match at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
So while success in their remaining games could be too little, too late for the Kiwis, this campaign could also springboard the transitioning group to big things down the line.
"Not every World Cup's the same," Sharp continued.
"You can go from winning a World Cup last year to having a disappointing start. So I think it's been really cool. The team's been really good. Not much has changed. We're still the happy team, and we take a lot of pride in representing New Zealand. So every game we go out there, it's— we're trying to play for our country and play the best that we can."
New Zealand edge past a fierce Ireland | Match Highlights | Women's T20WC 2026
Hard-fought 4-run win for New Zealand as they hold off Ireland and open their account at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
"I think there's been a lot of learnings, and like you say, losing actually does help you reflect a bit deeper into a game. But I think for us it's just being able to absorb pressure, put pressure back on other teams, which we did nicely in that game against Ireland. So hopefully we can keep doing that. But yeah, I think it's been good."
New Zealand take on Scotland in the first of back-to-back T20 World Cup encounters at the Bristol County Ground today, in a match that will undeniably end the tournament hopes for the losing team.