NZ-W vs IRE-W Ball by Ball Commentary

Short and on off, Louise Little drills it down to long on for a single. New Zealand Women beat Ireland Women by 4 runs. Heartbreak for Ireland, elation for the White Ferns, who just didn't give up till the end and have ended up on the right side. And for the zillionth time, Bates has rescued her side out of deep trouble. First with a crucial cameo with the bat, and now defending with the ball. And one can clearly spot the sense of relief on Amelia Kerr's face because they were in all sorts of misery, with their title defence on the line. For Ireland, it's a tough one to take after coming so close.

Flatter, outside off, Louise Little chips it over wide of mid off. The fielder dives to her right to take the catch but the ball lands just short. It rolls in the deep as the batters collect two runs. 6 needed off the final ball now.

Tossed up, on off, Leah Paul pulls it over square leg for a single.

Two again! Short and on middle, Leah Paul pulls it through square leg for a couple again. 9 runs needed from 3 balls now.

Two more! Flatter, on off, Leah Paul sweeps it through mid-wicket for two more.

Drops it short and on leg, Leah Paul tucks it through mid-wicket for a brace. Excellent running between the wickets.

Nice and full, slower one on off, Louise Little lofts it down the ground, wide of long on for a brace.

Hard length, outside off, Leah Paul looks to scoop it but miscues it to the off side for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust. That's a brilliant catch from Suzie Bates. Hard length and outside off, slower too. Gaby Lewis steps out and looks to flick it but gets a leading edge. The ball lobs towards cover. Suzie Bates runs forward from mid off and takes a brilliant catch. She loses her balance but manages to keep the ball in her hands. She gets up and punches in the air. The White Ferns can believe now. Gaby Lewis cannot get the job done for her side as Ireland Women still need 18 runs from 8 balls now.

Wide! Down the leg side, Gaby Lewis looks to sweep it but misses. Wide called.

FOUR! Another twist in the tale! Rosemary Mair serves it full, and on middle, Gaby Lewis moves to her off side and sweeps it through fine leg for a boundary.

Full and down leg, Louise Little looks to flick it but the ball hits his pads and rolls in front. They collect a quick leg bye.

Full, on off, Gaby Lewis knocks it to mid on for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Amelia Kerr gets another wicket. A massive moment in the game. Tossed up, on off, with a hint of turn. Rebecca Stokell moves forward and tries to loft it over mid off. She doesn't connect well as the ball lobs straight in the hands of Jess Kerr at mid off, who makes no mistake. 25 runs needed from the final 2 overs now.

Quicker, outside off, Rebecca Stokell looks to sweep it but wears it on her pads. An appeal but turned down. The impact was outside off.

OUT! TAKEN! Maddy Green with a simple catch at deep mid-wicket and New Zealand Women are back in the game. Amelia Kerr drops it short and on off, Orla Prendergast moves forward and slogs it but doesn't get the elevation on it. The ball goes towards deep mid-wicket. Maddy Green runs forward and takes a good catch near her head.

Just short! Flatter, on off, Orla Prendergast steps out and chips it over mid on. Georgia Plimmer runs forward from long on and dives but the ball lands just short. She manages to make a good stop. Two more for Ireland Women.

Excellent work in the deep! Flighted and full, angling away outside the off stump. Orla throws her bat at it and sends it racing down the ground. It gets a bit nervy in the deep as Plimmer fumbles running off the ropes from long on, but Jess Kerr is alert at long off, scurrying across to her right and diving to keep it to a couple of runs only. She ensures that no part of her body is in contact with the ropes while holding the ball in hand. The replay shows that Jess has done clean work. Amelia Kerr looked like she aged ten years watching that, but her sister bailed her out beautifully.

Tossed up, on leg, Orla Prendergast taps it to cover.

Full and on leg, Orla Prendergast flicks it through wide of mid on for a single.

Slightly shorter, on off, Gaby Lewis punches it through covers for a single.

Slower one, on off, Gaby Lewis flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace. The fielder, Plimmer, throws it towards the keeper, who whips the bails off, but Gaby Lewis is well in by then.

Another dot! Back of a length, on leg, Gaby Lewis flicks it but finds the fielder at short fine leg. Jess Kerr gets away with this.

Too full, on off, Gaby Lewis taps it to mid off.

A tad fuller, on leg, Orla Prendergast tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Full and straight, Orla Prendergast taps it to cover for a single. 34 needed from the final 4 overs now.

Fifty up for Gaby Lewis now! A very measured knock from the skipper. And this is her 19th T20I fifty. A low full toss, on leg, Gaby Lewis flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. What a display of batting this has been from these two. The captain has led from the front and she calmly raises her bat to acknowledge all the applause from her teammates and the Irish faithful present at the venue. She will now aim to take her team past the finish line.

Too full, on off, Gaby Lewis drives it to cover for a single. A misfield allows them to collect one more. Two taken.

FOUR! Gaby Lewis moves to 47 now! Full and outside off, Gaby Lewis takes a step forward and holds her shape as she chips it over mid off for a boundary. That's a beautiful cricket shot, right out of the sweet spot. 100 comes up for Ireland Women.

Much fuller, on leg, Orla Prendergast flicks it through mid-wicket for one more.

Slows it up, on off, Gaby Lewis punches it to cover for a single.

FIFTY FOR ORLA PRENDERGAST! Excellent knock from her and that's her 2nd T20 World Cup half century as well. But this has come against the defending champions which makes it more special. She has stepped up when it mattered most and will look to bat throughout. Wickets with the ball, runs with the bat, Prendergast has given a very strong account of herself in this game. This is slanted onto the pads, on a fuller length. Orla Prendergast clips it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Lands it full on middle, Gaby Lewis forces the drive to mid off for a single. The partnership is now worth 89 runs.

Skids through and nips in from middle, on a good length. Orla Prendergast hops a bit and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

A smidge fuller, on off. Orla Prendergast stays leg side and taps it to backward point with soft hands.

In-angler on a fuller length. This is flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Curves back on the pads, full in length. Orla Prendergast whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Loops it above the eyeline, and drops it full, on off. Orla Prendergast carves it to the left of the bowler for a single down to long off. 9 runs off the over. The Irish are in a very comfortable position right now.

Slides it on the stumps, on a good length. Gaby Lewis lets the ball dip and nudges it through square leg for a single.

The googly, short on off. Orla Prendergast chops it wide of backward point for a single.

SIX! CLUBBED! A real drag-downer on middle and leg. Orla Prendergast picks the length very early and pulls it aerially off the back foot. With no intentions to keep it down, she manages to clear the deep square leg fence for a six.

A slider on a length, on middle. Orla Prendergast shimmies down the track and tries to slash it away, but chops it off the inside edge onto the pitch.

Flatter and fuller, on middle, Orla pushes it back to Kerr.

Spins in from middle, on a fuller length. Orla Prendergast goes back in the crease and tucks it to the vacant mid-wicket region. Seeing the batters charge for a single, Nensi moves across to her right and stops it with a dive. She gets rid of the ball, but it is quite wayward to the bowling end.

Full on the pads, this is flicked to wide mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! Full and on off. Gaby Lewis advances down the track and looks to loft it down the ground, but skews it over mid off and manages to clear the inner ring. The ball teases Amelia Kerr all the way through the ropes and wins the race.

Very full on middle, Orla Prendergast lunges forward and works it to long on for a single.

Excellent piece of running! Floated fuller, on middle. Orla Prendergast clips it through the vacant mid on region and by the time the deep mid-wicket fielder swoops in the throw to the bowler, they complete the second run.

FOUR! Ordinary bowling by Patel! Feeds it on the leg stump line, touch full. Orla Prendergast crouches the back leg a bit and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary at long leg.

Fuller one, around off, Orla Prendergast creams it through cover for a single. Orla is keen to pinch the second, but the fielder is quick to pick and throw in a motion to the bowler. So they settle down for a single only.

Uses the wider angle and slants it on the pads. Orla Prendergast taps it on the bounce to the bowler.

Bowls a full ball, just outside off. Orla tries to drive it away, only to miss.

Decision overturned! In-angler on a good length, on the leg stump line. Orla Prendergast looks to work it leg side, but she plays all around the line and is beaten on the inside edge before the ball raps the inside half of the front pad. A big appeal for LBW and up goes the finger, but that seemed to be sliding down leg in real time. Orla Prendergast is quick to opt for a review as well. UltrEdge presents a flat line. Ball Tracking saves Prendergast as the ball is projected to miss the leg stump. Review is retained.

Wide full toss, outside off. Gaby Lewis strides across and drives it to deep cover for a single.

Full and tailing in on middle. Orla stays leg side and taps it to the cover region for an easy single.

Slower one, full on off. Orla Prendergast waits for it and dabs it to cover-point for a quick run.

Fractionally fuller, outside off. Gaby Lewis leans on and drives it to deep point for an easy single.

Around off, on a length. Orla Prendergast stabs it to the right of backward point for a single. Smart cricket by these two.

FOUR! Poor ball and it gets the treatment! Short of a good length at the pads. Orla Prendergast pulls it to deep fine leg and picks up another boundary.

Fuller and on off, Gaby Lewis leans on and drives it to Bates at cover for a quick single.

Back of a length, outside off. Orla Prendergast cuts it to deep cover for a run.

Flatter, on off, Gaby Lewis flicks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Ireland Women. Nensi Patel errs it down leg, Gaby Lewis picks it well and sweeps it through short fine leg for a boundary. 50 partnership comes up between this duo now.

Flatter, outside off, Gaby Lewis eases it to mid off again.

Quicker, on off, Gaby Lewis blocks it to mid off.

Full again, on leg, Orla Prendergast flicks it through square leg for one more.

Too full, on leg, Gaby Lewis digs it to mid on for a single.

Gives it air, on off, Gaby Lewis drives it through covers for a single.

New Zealand lose a review and Gaby can breathe a sigh of relief! Quicker, on middle and leg, Gaby Lewis lunges and looks to block it but plays the wrong line and misses as she wears it on her pads. A loud appeal for LBW, but the umpire is unmoved. Kerr has a chat with the keeper and they send it upstairs for a review to have a check. Nothing on Ultra Edge and Ball Tracking shows that it was missing the leg pole. The on-field decision stands NOT OUT.

Much fuller, on leg, Gaby Lewis works it through short fine leg for a brace. 50 comes up for Ireland Women.

Tossed up, on off, Gaby Lewis knocks it to mid off.

Drops it short, on leg, Orla Prendergast pulls it to mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, on off, Gaby Lewis taps it to cover for a single.

FOUR! Excellent from Orla Prendergast! Bree Illing goes short and on leg, Orla Prendergast picks the length, swivels and pulls it powerfully through square leg for a boundary. Illing finishes off her spell with impressive figures reading 4-0-18-1.

Much fuller, outside off, Gaby Lewis drives it through cover-point for a single.

Good length, on leg, Gaby Lewis looks to flick it but wears it on her pads. The ball was pitching outside leg.

Angling in, on middle, Orla Prendergast punches it to cover for a single.

Short and on leg, Orla Prendergast moves forward and looks to pull it but misses.

Beaten! Hard length, outside off, holds the line. Orla Prendergast has a waft at it but misses.

Quicker, on off, Orla Prendergast taps it through covers for a single.

Fired in, on off, Orla Prendergast cuts it to the point fielder.

Too full, on off, Gaby Lewis eases it to cover for a quick single.

Much fuller, on off, Gaby Lewis lunges and blocks it to short cover.

Good work in the deep. Tossed up, outside off, Gaby Lewis slaps it through backward point for a brace. The fielder dives to her left and makes a good stop in the deep.

Short, on off, Orla Prendergast punches it to cover for a single.

Hard length, on leg, Gaby Lewis tucks it through square leg for a brace.

Full and straight, Gaby Lewis eases it to mid off.

In the air, safe! Short, on leg, Orla Prendergast looks to pull it but gets a top edge. The ball lobs and lands safely at square leg. They cross.

Much fuller, on off, Orla Prendergast blocks it to point.

Dropped! A tough chance as it didn't go to the tallest of the fielders out there. Full and outside off, Orla Prendergast advances down the pitch, reaches out to it and slices it uppishly to the off side. The ball lobs towards Nensi Patel at backward point, who leaps but just manages to get her hand to it, and she deflects the ball in the deep as the batters collect two runs.

Angling down the leg side, Orla Prendergast looks to block it but wears it on her pads. A stifled appeal but turned down.

Around off and short. A lot quicker and Orla is rushed on the back foot before she drags it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Such a glorious shot! Overpitched by Nensi, full on middle. Orla Prendergast shimmies down the track, and lofts it inside out over the cover-point region for a boundary.

Flatter on a fuller length, on middle. Orla Prendergast watchfully blocks it back to Patel.

Much fuller, around off, Lewis drives it to the left of the diving bowler. A single at mid off.

FOUR! Beautifully played! Nensi drops it short and offers width this time, outside off. Gaby Lewis arches back, waits for the ball and cuts it through the cover and backward point gap for a boundary.

A dipping full ball on the pads. Gaby Lewis misses to sweep and the ball rolls off the pads to short fine leg.

Pitched outside leg, and it swings in from a good length. Orla Prendergast is pinned in the crease and plays all around it to work it across. Wears it high on her thigh pad as the ball rolls away to the off side. A slight appeal for LBW, but the voices wane away as the umpire denies.

Good comeback by Bree! Back of a length, angled across the batter, Orla Prendergast tries to glide the ball to short third, but misses.

FOUR! Shot of authority! Serves it fuller and outside off, angling away. Orla Prendergast dances down the track, stays leg side of the ball and belts this to the left of the diving mid off fielder for a cracking boundary. Right out of the middle of the blade.

Skids through, on a length, outside off. Orla Prendergast hangs back and guides it on the bounce to backward point.

Tails on the pads, full in length. Gaby Lewis flicks it off the inner half to deep fine leg for a single.

In and around leg, clipped to short mid-wicket.

Cuts back in from off, on a fuller length. Gaby presses back and dabs it to backward point.

Full on leg, drilled down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Just up and over! Back of a length, on the leg stump, tailing in. Gaby Lewis whips it off her hips. The fielder, Bree Illing, at deep backward square leg is surprisingly miles inside the ropes and she leaps to pluck the ball but it just sails over her and bounces before the ropes for a boundary.

Another one that is angled in and around the leg stump. Orla plays from the crease and nudges it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder for a quick single.

Slants it onto the pads, on a length. Gaby Lewis tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Lands it fuller on the leg stump. Gaby Lewis tilts forward and flicks it to the right of the mid-wicket fielder. Brooke Halliday covers a good ground to her left from deep mid-wicket and slides to stop it. Two taken.

Another one that swings back in, on a fuller length. Orla Prendergast plays off the back foot and taps it out to cover. A successful over for New Zealand.

OUT! BOWLED! Top-drawer execution from Bree and the Kiwis have their first wicket. Illing nails the yorker which tails in from the off stump. Amy Hunter brings her bat in front to jam the ball, but plays the wrong line and is beaten on the outside edge. The ball lands at the base of the middle pole and makes an absolute mess of it. Proves to be too good for Hunter and Ireland Women are 6/1, chasing 141.

At 103.4 kph, this is fuller on the pads. Lewis is beaten on the flick shot and the ball rolls off the front pad to square leg for a leg bye.

Just outside off, on a fuller length. Gaby Lewis is drawn forward to drive it away on the off side, but the ball moves away and beats the outside edge.

WIDE! Short of a good length, swinging down leg. Lewis looks to pull but does not connect.

WIDE! Swings one down leg, on a fullish length. Lewis looks to flick but the ball grazes the thigh pad on its way to the keeper.

Pitched short and just outside leg. Hunter moves inside the line, rides the bounce and nudges it to deep square leg for a run.

Good running! Angled onto the pads, on a good length. Gaby Lewis uses her wrists to flick the ball to deep backward square leg. Izzy Sharp from deep fine leg moves across to her left and mops it up. Two taken. So just 3 runs from the first over.

On a fuller length, outside off and stays low. Lewis tries to drive it through cover, but gets a thick bottom edge and the ball keeps dribbling near the pitch on the off side.

Nip-backer from a good length, with extra bounce. Lewis stabs it away to mid on.

Short of a length, on top of middle, angling in. Lewis presses back and tucks it to short mid-wicket using soft hands.

A touch full and outside off. Gaby Lewis gets on top of the bounce and drives it to backward point.

A bit of an inswinger on a good length, on middle and leg. Amy Hunter hangs across and tucks it through square leg for a single. Ireland and Amy are off the mark.