Dean hails '360 player' Wyatt-Hodge as imperious England remain unbeaten
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- Danni Wyatt-Hodge smashed an unbeaten 89 from 53 deliveries, including 15 fours and one six, as England chased down New Zealand's 164-run target in just 17.2 overs
- England completed an unbeaten group-stage campaign, winning all five Group B matches to finish top of the table and book a semi-final at The Oval on Tuesday or Thursday
- Sophia Dunkley added 49 not out off 38 balls, putting on an unbroken 128-run stand with Wyatt-Hodge off 80 deliveries to seal the nine-wicket win
- Stand-in captain Charlie Dean hailed Wyatt-Hodge as "the ultimate 360 player," noting she is still scoring heavily despite not sleeping much with a newborn at home
- Defending champions New Zealand were eliminated from the tournament; captain Amelia Kerr conceded the White Ferns had "a disappointing tournament" despite a strong young squad
- Wyatt-Hodge, who became a mother in May and returned from parental leave earlier this year, has now posted back-to-back half-centuries — her 22nd T20I fifty
- England have never lost a T20I at The Oval across five matches at the venue, a record that bodes well as they prepare for a home semi-final at the same ground
Why it matters: England arrive at the knockout stage with five consecutive wins and the tournament's in-form batter in Wyatt-Hodge, who is peaking at a venue where England have never lost a T20I. The defending champions' group-stage exit opens the door for a new titleholder, and the hosts hold home advantage for both the semi-final and, potentially, the final at Lord's on July 5.
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