India’s women into World Twenty20 semi-finals

Lankan women knocked out :

India have won through to the semi-finals of the women’s World Twenty20 and will face Australia in the last four at the Beausejour Stadium here on Thursday. Meanwhile New Zealand, last year’s losing finalists, will be up against hosts the West Indies in the second semi-final at the same venue on Friday after champions England failed to reach the knockout stages.

India advanced after a crushing 71 run victory over Sri Lanka in St Kitts on Monday.

Batting first, they made 144 for three, with Sulakshana Naik (59) and Mithali Raj (52) both scoring fifties.

Off-spinner Diana David then led the India attack with four wickets for 12 runs as Sri Lanka were held to 71 for nine from their 20 overs at Warner Park.

“It’s obviously good to know we’ve now qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament and we’re looking forward to facing Australia next in St Lucia,” said India captain Jhulan Goswami.

“I was very pleased with how we performed today...We need to carry this good form to St Lucia,” she added.

Earlier, New Zealand pace bowler Nicola Brown took four wickets for just 15 runs as Pakistan managed a meagre 65 for nine.

Only three Pakistanis made it into double figures, Nain Abidi (11), Urooj Mumtaz (14) and Sania Khan (15).

“We didn’t perform at all well in this tournament, said Pakistan captain Sana Mir. “The only time we did well as a side was during the warm-up fixtures and this was not good enough for a world tournament.

New Zealand reached their target in under nine overs, although they did lose four wickets along the way.

“It’s obviously good to know we’ve finished top of the group but to be facing West Indies is going to be a challenge in the semi-finals in St Lucia,” said New Zealand captain Aimee Watkins.

“They are the kind of team that are so unpredictable at Twenty20, one day they could make 80 all out and another 180 for four so I’m not taking the upcoming fixture lightly.” England, beaten first up on sixes countback by Australia after not even a ‘super-over’ could separate the teams, were knocked out with a group game to spare after losing to the West Indies by two runs last weekend.

The West Indies made 122 for eight, with star bat Deandra Dottin out for a first ball nought.

But England, despite sound contributions from openers Sarah Taylor (33) and captain Charlotte Edwards (31) suffered a middle-order collapse.

They rallied but needing four to win off the last ball, saw Katherine Brunt run out.

England have been caught up by several sides since sweeping all before them in 2009 and Edwards said: “We’re bitterly disappointed, I’ve got a very sad changing room down there.

“But we’re going to have to pick ourselves up, go back home and work really hard ahead of the series against New Zealand this (English) summer.”

AFP