Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Kapp and Wolvaardt Guide South Africa Past Ireland in Rain-Shortened 18-Over Match
South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Scotland all secured convincing victories in women’s T20 World Cup warm-up matches in Loughborough, with several leading players making strong statements ahead of the tournament.
South Africa held off Ireland by 16 runs after posting 136 for 8 in an 18-over contest. Captain Laura Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a rapid 65 off 37 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes. In reply, Ireland were restricted to 120 as Marizanne Kapp produced the key spell of the match, taking 4 for 24. Shabnim Ismail, who recently reversed her retirement, also impressed with 1 for 25 in four overs. Leah Paul top-scored for Ireland with 29, but only four of their batters reached double figures as the chase faltered.
New Zealand, the defending champions, warmed up for the T20 World Cup with a dominant 68-run win over Bangladesh. Captain Melie Kerr led from the front with an unbeaten 51 off 28 balls, helping the White Ferns reach 193 for 3. Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates gave the innings momentum at the top, while Izzy Sharp added 46 and Amelia Kerr finished strongly with a half-century. Bangladesh were never close in response, managing 125 for 8. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty made 32 not out, but Nensi Patel starred with the ball for New Zealand, claiming four wickets to seal a comfortable victory.
Sri Lanka also enjoyed a successful outing, beating Pakistan by nine wickets after chasing 169 with eight balls to spare. Captain Chamari Athapaththu was the standout performer, smashing 94 and sharing a 159-run opening stand with Vishmi Gunaratne, who made 63. Their partnership took the contest away from Pakistan, whose innings had been disrupted by Chethana Vimukthi. The seamer, called up as a replacement for the injured Shashini Gimhani, returned figures of 4 for 31. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana top-scored with 37 from No. 7 after opener contributions from Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza, but the total proved insufficient.
Scotland rounded off the results with a 58-run victory over the Netherlands. Batting first, Scotland reached 163 for 5, with useful contributions throughout the top order. Darcey Carter made 33, captain Kathryn Bryce scored 32, and later runs from Priyanz Chatterji and others pushed the total to a competitive score. The Netherlands struggled in reply and were bowled out for 105, with Scotland’s bowlers maintaining control to complete a strong all-round performance.
The warm-up fixtures offered encouraging signs for several sides ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, with senior players, replacement call-ups and emerging names all making an impact in the final build-up to the tournament.
