New Zealand dismissed India for 102 in a thumping 58-run win of their Ladies’s T20 World Cup opener on Friday.
The White Fearns, who had gained solely one among their prior 13 T20 internationals this yr, surprised their opponents as they first racked up a difficult complete of 160-4 after which rolled out India in 19 overs.
Captain Sophie Devine starred with the bat for New Zealand, her unbeaten 57 off 36 balls with seven boundaries propelling her aspect to a match-winning rating – 51 smashed off the ultimate 5 overs.
Devine’s sturdy end adopted a strong basis of 67 off 46 balls by openers Georgia Plimmer (34 of 23) and veteran Suzie Bates (27 off 24).
A run-out dispute stopped play briefly when India thought they’d picked up Amelia Kerr effectively in need of her crease to finish the 14th over earlier than the umpires – together with Jacqueline Williams at square-leg, who was tying her shoelaces – ruling it a lifeless ball.
Kerr had walked to nearly the rope boundary earlier than the ruling by the fourth umpire, although her reprieve mattered little in the long run, as she was dismissed by Renuka Singh two balls later.
As India set about chasing down 161, Rosemary Mair trapped captain Harmanpreet Kaur (15) contained in the powerplay in a stunning spell of 4-19.
Mair claimed the final two wickets of the match, off successive balls, whereas quick bowler Lea Tahuhu too chipped in with 3-15 to assist bundle India out with an over to spare – Kaur’s 15 having been the highest rating of a desperately disappointing innings.
What’s subsequent for either side at Ladies’s T20 World Cup?
After such a disappointing defeat of their event opener, India subsequent face rivals Pakistan – reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket from 10.30am on Sunday (first ball, 11am) – in what’s virtually a must-win match for them after Pakistan beat Sri Lanka of their Group A opener.
As for New Zealand, they’re not again in motion until Tuesday, in one other rivalry conflict, towards their Antipodean foes Australia – reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket from 2.30pm (first ball, 3pm).
Watch each match of the 2024 Ladies’s T20 World Cup reside on Sky Sports activities, concluding with the ultimate in Dubai on Sunday October 20. You may as well stream the event and extra with NOW
