Defending champions England overcame a late wobble in the rain to defeat New Zealand by a wicket at Eden Park on Sunday, keeping their Women’s World Cup title defence hopes on track while pushing the hosts to the brink of elimination.

Anya Shrubsole clipped Brooke Halliday wide of short mid-wicket in the final over to take England to 204 runs and past the total set for them by the White Ferns in the first innings. The win means England move to four points from five matches and into fifth place in the group standings.

New Zealand have four points but, having played one match more, are now sixth and may exit the competition. England had won only one of their opening four matches. Losses against Australia, West Indies and South Africa had left them in danger of missing out on the semi-finals.

Brief scores: New Zealand Women: 203 all out in 48.5 overs (M. Greene 52 n.o.; K. Cross 3/35). England Women 204/9 in 47.2 overs (N. Schiver 61; F. Mackay 4/34). England won by 1 wicket.