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Five in a row for England
England sealed a place in its first World Cup final in 16 years when it extended its unbeaten run at this tournament to five matches by defeating the West Indies by 146 runs, while the White Ferns stayed on course for a final showdown with Charlotte Edwards’s side when it overpowered India by five wickets in the penultimate matches in the Super Six stage of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009.
At the Drummoyne Oval, England openers Sarah Taylor (78) and Caroline Atkins (50) featured in a 134-run first wicket partnership before Claire Taylor (65) rescued her side from a middle-order collapse as the two-time former champion reached an imposing 236-8 in 50 overs. Off-spinner Laura Marsh then took 3-17 as the West Indies was bowled out for 90 in 38.2 overs, with Shanel Daly unable to bat due to illness.
Strong second innings sees New Zealand home
At the North Sydney Oval, New Zealand rode on an excellent 71 by player-of-the-match Kate Pulford and a priceless 47 not out by Suzie Bates to achieve the victory target of 208 runs with five wickets and 15 balls to spare which made it the first side in the tournament to score over 200 runs in the second innings to win a match.
While England is guaranteed a place in the 22 March final after collecting maximum points, New Zealand now has six points and can set up a repeat of 1993 World Cup final at Lord’s against England if it beats Pakistan on Thursday at Drummoyne. And if it manages to do this, defending champion Australia will be knocked out of the final race and instead will be left to play in the third-fourth place-off against India on 21 March at the Bankstown Oval.
Experienced England too good for West Indies
At Drummoyne, England showed its class in an excellent all-round performance, even though it collapsed from 134-0 to 178-5 and then from 204-5 to 225-8. However, Claire Taylor brought all her experience into play and held the middle-order innings together hitting 65 off 56 balls to help England reach the fourth highest score of the tournament so far.
However, it was player-of-the-match Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins who provided England with another positive start. Taylor, the 19-year-old Londoner, was the first batter to be dismissed in England’s innings when she was run-out for a fine 78 that came off 101 balls and included seven fours.
West Indies, in its run-chase, never threatened England and was finally bowled out for 90 in 38.2 overs .
Two half-centuries lift India to 207
At the North Sydney Oval, India batted first after winning the toss and despite opener Anjum Chopra’s 18th ODI career half-century managed only 207 all out in 49.4 overs. Chopra (52) hit three fours in a watchful 106-ball knock but it was Reema Malhotra’s knock that lifted India to the eventual score after it had slipped to 153-7. Malhotra clubbed eight fours in a 53-ball 59 not out.
White Ferns put India to the sword and win with 15 balls to spare
New Zealand, in its run-chase, took advantage of India’s sloppy bowling and fielding performance to achieve the victory target of 208 with five wickets and 15 balls to spare.
Kate Pulford and Suzie Bates were the stars of New Zealand’s well calculated run-chase. Pulford shifted gears at the right time and finished with an excellent 71 off 88 balls that included 10 fours. Together with captain Haidee Tiffen (23), Pulford put on 78 runs for the first wicket which was a crucial partnership in the context of the match.
After Pulford’s departure, Bates took the responsibility of carrying her team through by returning unbeaten on 47 that came off 65 balls and included three fours.
Scores in brief:
England 236-8 (Sarah Taylor 78, Claire Taylor 65, Caroline Atkins 50; Shanel Daley 3-31)West Indies 90 (Deandra Dottin 23; Laura Marsh 3-17)
* England won by 146 runs
India 207 (Reema Malhotra 59 not out, Anjum Chopra 52, Mithali Raj 21; Sophie Devine 2-35, Kate Pulford 2-38)New Zealand 210-5 (Kate Pulford 71, Suzie Bates 47 not out, Haidee Tiffen 23, Aimee Mason 23, Priyanka Roy 2-60)
* New Zealand won by five wickets