New Zealand vs Scotland, Women's T20 WC 2026: Time, venue, squads and live streaming details
Synopsis
Defending champions New Zealand, already on the back foot after two early losses, face a Scotland side that has pushed England and West Indies close — on a turning Bristol pitch that could be the great equaliser. Melie Kerr's all-round form is New Zealand's best hope; Scotland's Bryce sisters and spinners Gordon and Fraser could make this a genuine upset.
Key Takeaways
New Zealand face Scotland in a Group B must-win at Bristol County Ground on 23 June at 3:00 PM IST .
The White Ferns are defending champions but have won only one of three matches so far, with a four-run win over Ireland their sole victory.
Captain Melie Kerr is the key all-rounder for New Zealand, with a match-winning bowling spell against Ireland to her name.
Scotland share the same points as New Zealand and have pushed both England and West Indies close this tournament.
The match will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and streamed live on JioStar .
Defending champions New Zealand face a must-win Group B clash against Scotland in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Bristol County Ground on Tuesday, 23 June, with their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread. The White Ferns, having lost their first two games, clawed back with a narrow four-run win over Ireland but cannot afford another slip.
New Zealand's Semifinal Equation
New Zealand enter this fixture under significant pressure — a second successive defeat would almost certainly end their title defence. Captain Melie Kerr has been the standout performer with both bat and ball, and her late bowling burst against Ireland — which dismantled a threatening 110-run partnership — proved decisive. The White Ferns will lean on her heavily once again at Bristol.
The batting, however, remains a concern. Brooke Halliday and Izzy Sharp rescued New Zealand from the brink of collapse against Ireland, and the side will need a similar rescue act on what is expected to be a turning Bristol surface. Without a more settled top order, New Zealand's campaign remains fragile.
Scotland's Upset Credentials
Scotland arrive at this fixture with the same points as New Zealand in the standings, having pushed both England and West Indies close in earlier games. While they are yet to register a win, their performances signal that they are capable of springing a genuine upset.
The Scottish batting rests on Darcey Carter and the Bryce sisters — Kathryn and Sarah — who, once set, can accelerate quickly. Spinners Kirstie Gordon and Katherine Fraser will be key on a surface likely to assist turn, and their six-wicket haul against Ireland in the previous match underlines their threat.
Key Matchup to Watch
New Zealand's bowlers have struggled to break partnerships this tournament — a vulnerability Scotland will look to exploit by building long stands. If Gordon and Fraser can also tie down the White Ferns' batting with sharp spin, Scotland's chances of a historic win improve considerably. The Bristol pitch, known to assist slow bowlers, could be the great equaliser.
Match Details and How to Watch
When: Tuesday, 23 June at 3:00 PM IST
Where: Bristol County Ground, Bristol, England
Broadcast: Star Sports Network
Live Streaming: JioStar
Full Squads
New Zealand: Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu
Scotland: Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Hannah Rainey, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul
With New Zealand's title defence on the line and Scotland hungry for their first win of the tournament, this Group B encounter promises to be one of the most competitive fixtures of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Point of View
Yet their batting fragility — rescued by a middle-order partnership against Ireland — remains unaddressed. Scotland, meanwhile, are doing what emerging cricket nations do best: closing gaps without crossing the line. If they do cross it here, against the defending champions on a turning Bristol surface, it would be the tournament's defining upset — and a signal that women's T20 cricket's competitive depth is widening faster than rankings reflect.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the New Zealand vs Scotland Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match?
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, 23 June at 3:00 PM IST at the Bristol County Ground in Bristol, England. It is a crucial Group B fixture in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Where can I watch the New Zealand vs Scotland Women's T20 WC match live in India?
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network in India and streamed online on JioStar.
Why is this match so important for New Zealand?
New Zealand, the defending champions, lost their first two group games and need a win here to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Another defeat would effectively end their title defence.
Who are the key players to watch in the New Zealand vs Scotland clash?
For New Zealand, captain Melie Kerr is the standout — her late bowling spell dismantled Ireland's innings and she is the team's primary match-winner. For Scotland, Darcey Carter, the Bryce sisters (Sarah and Kathryn), and spinners Kirstie Gordon and Katherine Fraser are the players most likely to cause an upset.
What are Scotland's chances against New Zealand?
Scotland are yet to win a game but have pushed top sides including England and West Indies close, and currently share the same points as New Zealand. On a turning Bristol surface that suits their spinners, they have a realistic chance of causing an upset.
