How did Match 13 of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 go between New Zealand Women and Ireland Women?

In a solid thriller contest of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Rose Bowl, Southampton, defending champions New Zealand (NZ W) secured an emphatic four-run win against Ireland (IRE W) on Friday, June 19.

The contest began with the Irish team coming out to bowl first, having won the toss. The decision seemed to be a perfect one as they reduced the White Ferns to 10 for the loss of three wickets in the fourth over itself.

However, a rescue act from skipper Melie Kerr (30 off 24), Brooke Halliday (34 off 37), Izzy Sharp (36 off 28) and the experienced Suzie Bates (19* off 12) eventually took the total to 140-6 after 20 overs.

While Ireland did not have anything huge to achieve, the fall of the first wicket in the second over actually saw the captain-vice-captain duo of Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast take charge of the run chase, ensuring no further hiccups until the 18th over. However, the moment both departed, things came back swiftly in New Zealand's control, as Bates held her nerves to help her side defend 15 in the last over.

Best Batting Performance of the Match: Orla Prendergast

When it comes to taking note of the best batting performance of the evening, it would surely go to Orla Prendergast despite her team ending on the losing side in a last-over thriller. On a sluggish track at Southampton, the Irish all-rounder stood her ground for 53 balls, amassing 59 runs. This also included five fours and a solitary six. While she did her job well, the middle order could not reciprocate on the platform provided through her stable knock in the middle.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ICC (@icc)

With the ball, she was once again the star of the match for New Zealand. First she accounted for the fall of Prendergast, from where the game took a crucial turn. A couple of balls later, Kerr provided the second breakthrough from her end, as Rebecca Stokell departed for a silver duck. Kerr's figures read 4-0-23-2.

Who won the Player of the Match award?

Taking into account the all-round contributions, the organisers had no hesitation in handing the Player of the Match award to NZ skipper Melie Kerr.

Her 30 off 24 on a difficult batting surface followed by a game-changing two-wicket haul in the second innings eventually decided the fate of the match, which went in her team's favour.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ICC (@icc)