Super Sri Lanka break Indian hearts

Stephan Shemilt

Hosts India were knocked out of the Women’s World Cup with a 138-run defeat by Sri Lanka in their last group match.

Eshani Kaushalya hammering the ball during her brisk unbeaten knock of 56

Chasing 283, India would have secured a place in the Super Six stage on net run-rate had they made at least 251, but they crumbled to 144 all out.

The visitors’ victory seals progression and the maximum four Super Six points.

Sri Lanka, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament who also stunned England in their opening match, had never beaten India before in one-day cricket.

The result means England carry only two points through, the same number as West Indies, who finished ahead of India on run-rate.

Group B sides Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are the other three teams to advance.

By finishing bottom of Group A, India are set to take on Pakistan in a play-off to determine seventh and eighth place.

Protests from a right-wing political party against Pakistan’s presence in Mumbai caused all their fixtures to be moved to the city of Cuttack, about 1,000 miles away. India must now travel to play that game on Thursday, the day before the Super Six stage begins. BBC