Indian eves beat New Zealand by 27 runs

0

Sydney: Opener Anjum Chopra hit a gutsy unbeaten 73-run knock before the Indian bowlers stifled New Zealand batters to notch up a 27-run win in their last warm-up match before the ICC Women's World Cup at Old Kings on Wednesday.

Chopra's unbeaten 73 helped India reach 168-6 in 50 overs before the bowlers turned the screws around New Zealand batters to eventually bowl them out for 141 in 44 overs.

Gouhar Sultana (2-15), Rumeli Dhar (2-28) and Priyanka Roy (2-36) bowled excellently to earn India a victory which at one stage looked unlikely when New Zealand had reached 61-1.

New Zealand vice-captain Aimee Mason top scored for her side with 39 not out while opener Suzie Bates scored 34 and Amy Satterthwaite contributed 29.

Earlier, Chopra carried the India batting on her shoulders to help it reach 168 with an innings that included four fours. After India had slipped to 57-5, she and Priyanka Roy (44) put on 110 runs for the sixth wicket to bring stability to India's innings.

For New Zealand, Lucy Doolan (2-22) and Nicola Browne (2-23) were the main wicket-takers.

At Manly Oval, defending champion Australia strengthened its claim on a record sixth title when it defeated Sri Lanka by 230 runs. Batting first, Australia milked Sri Lanka's bowling to score 284-7 in 50 overs and then bowled out its opponents for just 54 runs in 25 overs.

At Raby Oval, two-time former champion England overcame the challenge of the West Indies by 116 runs. Electing to bat first, England struggled to find true form and managed only 210-6 in 50 overs. Claire Taylor, the top ranked batter on the ICC Women's ODI Player Rankings, continued her good form, belting six fours in a 63-ball 68.

In turn, the West Indies was bowled out for 94 in 42.2 overs with only Afy Fletcher (24) and Stafanie Taylor (20) being the notable contributors. Holly Colvin (2-6), Laura Marsh (2-13) and Anya Shrubsole (2-23) shared wickets.

At Village Green, South Africa struck form at the right time when it defeated Pakistan by 75 runs in a repeat of the Women's World Cup Qualifier final in Stellenbosch, South Africa last year which the home side had won by eight wickets.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, South Africa scored 235-6 in 50 overs and then dismissed Pakistan for 160 with eight balls to spare.

The World Cup begins on March 7 and the top four teams from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2013 event to be staged in India.

Brief Scores: India 168-6 in 50 overs (Anjum Chopra 73 not out, Priyanka Chopra 44; Lucy Doolan 2-22, Nicola Browne 2-23) New Zealand 141 in 44 overs (Aimee Mason 39 not out, Suzie Bates 34,; Gouhar Sultana 2-15, Rumeli Dhar 2-28, Priyanka Roy 2-36).