News Jun 19, 2026

Devine misses Ireland clash because of illness, New Zealand pick Bates

By Imran Malik · 3 min read

A Crucial Encounter in Southampton

The stakes could not be higher as Ireland and New Zealand face off in a pivotal matchup at the Hampshire Bowl. With both teams desperate for their first victory of the tournament, the atmosphere in Southampton is charged with tension. In a major roster adjustment, Devine misses Ireland clash because of illness, New Zealand pick Bates in her place, providing the veteran star an opportunity to shine in her farewell tournament.

The Situation for the Defending Champions

New Zealand finds themselves in an uncomfortable position after dropping their opening two matches. The reigning champions have struggled significantly with their fielding, suffering from a string of dropped catches that have proven costly. Captain Melie Kerr has been vocal about the need for improvement, suggesting that while batting and bowling only require a marginal 5% increase, the fielding unit must see a drastic transformation to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Mathematically, the path forward is narrow. A loss here would leave New Zealand needing to win their final two group games while relying on external results—specifically West Indies winning their remaining three matches—to force a four-way tie at four points. Maintaining high energy and positive body language remains a priority for Kerr and her squad.

Ireland’s Strategic Shift

Ireland enters this contest in similar territory, knowing that a defeat would effectively end their chances of progressing. They have opted for a tactical change, bringing in Lara McBride to replace Alana Dalzell, who struggled to make an impact in the earlier stages. Captain Gaby Lewis is looking for a comprehensive performance from her side to secure a vital win on what is a fresh wicket at the Hampshire Bowl.

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Lineups and Conditions

Ireland won the toss and elected to field, hoping to utilize the fresh conditions to put the New Zealand batting lineup under early pressure. The pitch, which has seen three matches already, is expected to play fairly, though both captains are aware that the result will likely come down to execution under pressure.

New Zealand Playing XI:

Georgia Plimmer
Izzy Gaze (wk)
Melie Kerr (capt)
Brooke Halliday
Maddy Green
Izzy Sharp
Suzie Bates
Jess Kerr
Nensi Patel
Rosemary Mair
Bree Illing

Ireland Playing XI:

Amy Hunter (wk)
Gaby Lewis (capt)
Orla Prendergast
Rebecca Stokell
Leah Paul
Alice Tector
Louise Little
Arlene Kelly
Aimee Maguire
Cara Murray
Lara McBride

As the match unfolds, all eyes will be on whether the return of Suzie Bates can provide the spark New Zealand desperately needs, or if Ireland can capitalize on the defending champions’ vulnerability to secure a historic result.

Imran Malik

Imran Malik is a senior sports correspondent for Dawn, and one of Pakistan’s most authoritative voices on cricket. A proud alumnus of the University of the Punjab, he has spent more than a decade covering the men in green—from the raw energy of Lahore’s club grounds to World Cup semi-finals. Imran is particularly known for his deep technical knowledge of fast bowling and his unflinching analysis of Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure. His writing blends sharp observation with a historian’s eye, capturing both the glory and the grit of the game. A regular contributor to Dawn’s sports desk and a familiar face on news panel shows, Imran has been recognized with the Agahi Award and his paper’s own Excellence Award. He remains passionately committed to unearthing the next generation of Pakistani sporting talent.