Defending champions England huffed and puffed to a one-wicket win over hosts New Zealand in a league stage match to keep their semi-final hopes alive at the ICC Women’s World Cup, here on Sunday. 

England pacer Kate Cross (3-35) and star spinner Sophie Ecclestone (3-41) shared six wickets between them, while spinner Charlie Dean (2-36), who took the pace off the ball in a solid performance, accounted for two batters as England bowled out the hosts 203.