Kiwis crush Indian eves by 91 runs

Chennai, Mar 1 (UNI) Indian eves crashed to a 91-run defeat against New Zealand in second round league match of the ICC Quadrennial women's cricket tournament at the M A Chidambaram stadium here today.

Set a daunting target of 273 in 50 overs, the Indian batswomen started the chase on a positive note, putting up a half-century first wicket stand, before they ran out of steam and folded meekly.

From the moment K V Jain (14) and fellow opener Jaya Sharma (29, 53 balls, 4x4) fell in a space of three runs after adding 52 for the first wicket in 12.4 overs, it was a virtual procession to the pavillion thereafter.

Amid mounting asking rate, none of the batswomen applied themselves to the task and succumbed to the pressure tactics of their opponents to end up at 181 for eight in their allotted 50 overs.

The win, with a bonus point, ensured the Kiwis a place in the final on March 5 with an unassailable 17 points from five matches.

This was the second successive loss for India against the Kiwis in the tournament. India have 13 points from five matches, one behind Australia, who defeated England today to keep themselves afloat in the tournament.

This meant that the last league match between India and Australia on March 3 would be a virtual semifinal and the winners would enter the title round.

Earlier put into bat, New Zealand rode on a maiden century from opener Suzie Bates (122, 134 balls, 11x4) to post a mammoth 272 for seven in their 50 overs.

Notwithstanding the early loss of opener M F Fahey (four), Bates, who was adjudged the eve-of-the-match, threaded in useful century partnerships with Haidee Tiffen (34, 55 balls, 3x4) and Rebecca Rolls (58, 54 balls, 5x4, 1x6) to help Kiwis post a big total.

All the Indian bowlers got the stick as Bates first added 101 runs for the second wicket with Tiffen in 18.5 overs and a further 104 runs for the third wicket with Rolls in 17 overs, before the lower order mustered up 40 runs in the last five overs.

New Zealand's total was the highest total put up at Chepauk in this tournament. The next highest was India's 231 in their opening match against England.

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