HAMILTON: The hosts of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup – New Zealand have secured second successive wins in the global event as Amelia Kerr and Lea Tahuhu fired with the ball after Amy Sattherwaite’s astonishing 75-runs knock to drive their side to a consolidating 62-runs victory over India, here on Thursday.
Set to chase 261, India could only manage to score 198 before being bowled out in the 47th over.
The side was off to a poor start; losing three wickets for 50 as Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma walked back to the pavilion after scoring cheaply, while Yastika Bhatia could score 28.
Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur then looked to fight back with their side stranded at 50/3. The pair notched up a valiant 44-runs partnership before Amelia removed the former for 31. Mithali faced 56 deliveries and smashed one boundary.
Kaur, on the other hand, stood firm and kept the scoreboard ticking singlehandedly while her side was losing wickets at an alarming rate.
The right-handed batter then also made her way back in the 44th over as Amelia struck her out for 71. She remained the top scorer for his side. Kaur faced just 63 balls and smashed eight boundaries including two sixes.
Her dismissal proved out to be a massive blow as the team blue soon bundled out for 198 in the 47th over as the tail-enders could not soak up the pressure put on them by the New Zealand’s bowling attack.
For the hosts, Amelia and Lahuhu claimed three wickets each, while Hayley Jensen picked two. Hannah Rowe and Jess Kerr, on the other hand, made one scalp each.
Batting first, the hosts put on a commendable total of 260/9 in the allotted 50 overs, thanks to the brilliant half-centuries from Amelia and Sattherwaite.
The White Ferns, despite starting poorly; losing their first wicket for a mere nine, soon recovered as Sophie Devine and Amelia anchored the innings with an important 45-runs partnership for the second wicket.
Sophie could not extend her stay at the crease for long as she departed in the 11th over after scoring 35, while Amelia went on to score a magnificent half-century. The latter scored 50 off 64 balls including five boundaries.
The star of the White Ferns with the bat Sattherwaite then played an exceptional 75-runs knock and inspired her side to a reputable total. She faced 84 balls and smashed nine boundaries.
The wicket-keeper batter Katey Martin also chipped in with her 41 and guided the side to the total as the tail-enders failed to make significant contributions with the bat.
For India, Pooja Vastrakar bagged four wickets, while Rajeshwari Gayakwad took two. Deepti and Jhulan Goswami, on the other hand, struck out a batter each.
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