Indian eves lose to Australia in World Twenty20 semi-final

St.LUCIA - The Indian women’s cricket team has also ended its WorldTwenty20 campaign in the Caribbean, losing to Australia in the semi-finals by seven wickets on Thursday.

Australian captain Alex Blackwell led from the front in ensuring that her side advanced to the women’s World Twenty20 final.

Blackwell’s 61, her maiden fifty at this level, was the centerpiece of Australia’s successful pursuit of the Indian target of 120.

Her innings was all the more impressive as Blackwell, only leading the side because wicketkeeper/batsman Jodie Fields withdrew before the tournament with a hamstring injury, came in with the score at one for one.

But together with left-handed opener Shelley Nitschke (22), she shared a second-wicket stand of 74 that ended Indian hopes.

By the time Blackwell was stumped by Sulakshana Naik off leg-spinner Priyanka Roy, Australia were 101 for three and in sight of victory.

Blackwell faced 49 balls for her 61, which included eight boundaries.

Leah Poulton, unbeaten on 30, ended the match with seven balls to spare with a boundary.

Earlier, Australia restricted India to five 119.

Opener Poonam Raut made 44 off 51 balls, with three boundaries, before she became one of three wickets that fell in the 17th over.

Raut put on 57 with Harmanpreet Kaur, the best stand of the innings, before bowler Ellyse Perry’s ran her out.

India’s star batsman Mithali Raj was drawn out of her crease by experienced Australia spinner Lisa Sthalekar and stumped by Alyssa Healy, the niece of former Australia wicketkeeper Ian. (ANI)