Wed 20th May 2026
The Central Co-op County Ground
England Women
New Zealand Women
England Women host New Zealand in an IT20 at The Central Co-op County-Ground on Wednesday 20 May (6.30pm).
The Women’s T20 World Cup holders, led by Amelia Kerr, face an England side aiming to make more history in Derby.
A limited number of Early Bird tickets remain for both fixtures, with more than 75% of reserved seating already booked!
Get your Early Bird tickets now!
Ahead of England’s return to The Central Co-op County Ground for two huge fixtures this summer, we take a look back at the history of England Women at our venue.
Former England captain, Heather Knight, once described Derby as ‘the stalwart of our summer’ when reflecting on her many memories of the venue, from kicking-off global tournaments to making history in front of a capacity crowds.
So, as England prepare to face longtime rivals, New Zealand, and an Ireland side containing stars such as Orla Predergast and Gaby Lewis, let’s take a trip down memory lane…
Pre-2017:
Prior to the opening game of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, England played nine games (seven ODIs, two IT20s) at The Central Co-op County Ground between 1998 and 2011, with India, Australia and New Zealand all making the trip to Derby.
England’s first win at the venue came against New Zealand in 2004, when Charlotte Edwards and Clare Connor scored half-centuries, before Isa Guha claimed 5-22. In 2007, Claire Taylor became the first England Women batter to score a century at Derby, when she made 110 off 133 balls against the White Ferns.
The hosts enjoyed a three-game winning streak between 2010-2011, but it would be another six years before they returned to Derby, with the eyes of the world watching…
2017: ICC Women’s World Cup:
The 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup began in Derby, with a brilliant opening ceremony before England took on India in a preview of the eventual final, but with a very different result.
Smriti Mandhana top scored with 90, as India came out on top in the first of eight huge games staged at The Central Co-op County Ground during the tournament, including a stellar semi-final between India and Australia.
England would also taste victory in Derby, as they defeated New Zealand by 75 runs in the group stage, with future captain Nat Sciver-Brunt scoring 129 off 110 balls.
All of England, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies entertained the capacity crowds at The Central Co-op County Ground through the summer, and we are proud to have been a part of England’s historic World Cup win later that summer.
2020: Glenn and England feel at home in Derby:
England claimed victory over New Zealand by 123 runs in an ODI in 2018, their largest margin of victory by runs at Derby, but a rain-off in 2019 meant we would have to wait until 2020 to see the world champions again. And, unfortunately due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no supporters would be present.
The squad were based at The Central Co-op County Ground for the entire summer, living, training and playing five IT20s against West Indies at the venue, with all games broadcast live on Sky Sports.
England were victorious in all five games, with Derbyshire Women & Girls Pathway product Sarah Glenn being named Player of the Series, after claiming seven wickets at an average of just 12 runs.
2021: Knight ton downs New Zealand:
With supporters back in the stands, Heather Knight and England put on a show for the ODI against New Zealand, with the iconic skipper scoring 101 off 107 balls on the way to a thrilling three-wicket victory with just three balls remaining.
The knock was Knight’s second ODI century and stretched England’s unbeaten streak at Derby to eight games, seven of which had come since winning the World Cup in 2017.
2022: A pair of blockbuster T20s:
2022 saw the women’s game continue to grow and there were no greater examples of this than both IT20 fixtures played at Derby that summer achieving recording viewing figures for a women’s international on British TV.
First, England took on South Africa in July, with Sophie Ecclestone putting in a superb all-round performance in the win as she blitzed 33 off just 12 balls before claiming 2-24 as England won by 38 runs in front of a capacity crowd.
Then, in September, England hosted India in a repeat of the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup final (and the opening fixture of that tournament), with Smriti Mandhana once again having joy at Derby. She top-scored with an unbeaten 79 in an eight-wicket win.
2023: Athapaththu stuns England:
Despite suffering defeat to India the year prior, England returned to Derby to face Sri Lanka in 2023 and were confident of victory… However, Chamari Athapaththu had other ideas.
The legendary all-rounder claimed 3-21 as the hosts were bowled out for just 116 and hit 44 off 28 balls to secure a historic 2-1 series win for her side, their first triumph over England in any format.
2024: England defeat Pakistan:
Back to Derby and back to winning ways in 2024, as England defeated Pakistan at The Central Co-op County Ground to win by 37 runs, thanks to an excellent display from the world’s best white ball bowler, Sophie Ecclestone.
Eccelestone dismissed Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana and Ayesha Zafar on her way to figures of 3-26, with Lauren Bell, Kate Cross and Charlie Dean all chipping in with two wickets apiece, while Alice Capsey (44) top-scored with the bat.
2025: Openers shine and Smith claims five:
Dominant. That is the only way to describe England’s victory over West Indies at Derby in 2025, with two centurions, one half-centurion and a five-wicket haul for a bowler on her ODI debut.
The tone was set early, with England winning the toss and electing to bat – a decision which was quickly justified when openers Tammy Beaumont (107) and Amy Jones (122) putting on 222 for the first wicket.
Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt scored an excellent 52 as England posted 345-6, before the debuting Linsey Smith took centre stage, claiming 5-36 as England ran out winners by 108 runs
England in Derby 2026 – Early Bird Deadline next week!
More history could be made this summer, as England return to The Central Co-op County Ground for two huge fixtures against T20 world champions, New Zealand, and Ireland.
A limited number of best-priced tickets remain available to purchase, with the Early Bird Window closing on Wednesday 11 March!
England Women vs New Zealand Women • Wednesday 20 May (6.30pm scheduled start)
England Women vs Ireland Women • Thursday 3 September (1pm scheduled start)
Hospitality
The Central Co-op County Ground
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