Indian women lose to New Zealand in World T20
By IANSFriday, May 7, 2010
BASSETERRE - The Indian women’s campaign in World Twenty20 began on a disappointing note when they went down by 10 runs to New Zealand at the Warner Park here.
Winning the toss and batting, New Zealand - led by Susie Bates’ 32 from 30 balls -scored 139 for eight and then stopped India at 129 for eight in their encounter Thursday.
Sian Ruck (2-17) and Lucy Doolan (2-18) ensured that the Indian chase was never on track.
India’s key batter Mithali Raj scored 44 from 36 balls but her dismissal left India teetering at six for 91 with less than five overs remaining.
Left-arm seamer Ruck bowled through her four overs at the top of the chase and she was ably assisted by her Wellington teammate Doolan with her offspin.
Skipper Aimee Watkins came up with restrictive bowling and contributed to India’s mid-order malaise with one for 23.
Earlier, New Zealand’s innings looked disjointed and failed to cash in on the start given by Bates.
Indian off-spinner Diana David, with figures of four for 27, ensured that none of the New Zealand batters were able to dig in their heels. She finished with 4 for 27 from her four overs, including the wickets of both of New Zealand’s top-scorers, Bates and Nicola Browne (24).
In another match at the Warner Park here Thursday, Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling one-run win against Pakistan.
Chasing a paltry 109 for a win, Pakistan were all out for 107 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka bowled their hearts out and fielded with agility. Eshani Kaushalya struck twice in her first spell to leave Pakistan struggling at 20 for three. For Pakistan, Bismah Maroof scored 42 off 40 balls but could not stop Sri Lanka from prevailing.
