New Zealand edge Ireland in thriller to keep World Cup hopes alive

Defending champions New Zealand beat Ireland by four runs to keep their ICC Women's T20 World Cup hopes alive in a thriller that went down to the final ball of the match. New Zealand legend Suzie Bates - who was sensationally called into the line-up at the last minute after all-rounder Sophie Devine fell ill on the bus to the game - closed out a resilient Ireland side in the last over to secure a vital first win of the tournament.

Ireland, on the other hand, agonisingly missed out on their first World Cup win and are all but eliminated from contention in Group A after losing all three of their…