Amelia Kerr fights back tears as Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu receive guard of honour | WATCH
Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu receive a guard of honour (Source: ICC)
Published - 28 Jun 2026, 08:40 AM• Read time - 2 mins
Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, and Lea Tahuhu- three of the greatest ever to wear the White Ferns jersey were honoured for their remarkable international careers on Saturday (June 27). As both England and New Zealand players lined up near the boundary rope at the Oval to form a guard of honour, the competitive intensity of the match melted away. It was a moment of respect, gratitude, and emotion for three icons of the women’s game.
New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr could not hold back her tears as she embraced Bates after the match. She was not alone. Eyes across both camps glistened, reflecting the weight of the occasion. It was the end of an era, and everyone present knew it.
The farewell, however, came in bittersweet circumstances. England dominated New Zealand, knocking them out of the semifinal race of the T20 World Cup. Ironically, Ireland had given the White Ferns a lifeline earlier in the day by defeating West Indies for their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup win. That result meant New Zealand still had a chance to qualify if they beat England, thanks to a superior net run rate.
But destiny had other plans. Despite quickfire contributions from Devine (30 off 14) and Bates (19 off 13), New Zealand’s total of 163 proved insufficient. A missed opportunity in the field allowed Danni Wyatt-Hodge to settle in, and she punished them with an unbeaten 89 off 53 balls, guiding England to a nine-wicket victory.
New Zealand players give farewell to outgoing legends
Inside the dressing room, the emotions deepened. The White Ferns gathered to celebrate their departing stars in a heartfelt post-match farewell. Songs were sung, Amelia Kerr strummed the guitar, and every teammate embraced Bates, Devine, and Tahuhu. The atmosphere was heavy with tears but also filled with warmth, gratitude, and love.
It was not the fairytale ending the trio might have wished for on the field. Still, the guard of honour, the music, and the hugs ensured their farewell was etched in memory as a celebration of three extraordinary careers.
