ICC Women's World Cup 2013

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Skipper Mithali Raj finally came good with an unbeaten century as Indian women beat arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets in a seventh place play-off encounter in the ICC Women's World Cup in Cuttack on Thursday.

Already out of contention after being hammered by Sri Lanka, the 'Women in Blue' came up with a much improved performance as they first restricted Pakistan to 192 for seven in 50 overs and then reached the target in 46 overs at the Barabati Stadium.

Skipper Mithali, who had been in woefully out of form, helped herself back into form with an unbeaten 103 off 141 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and a six. The only regret she would have is that her best came when it mattered the least.

Mithali added 87 runs for the unbroken fifth-wicket stand with Reema Malhotra, who remained undefeated on 25. The Indian women were in a spot of bother at 108 for four but the Indian captain found an able ally in Malhotra as they comfortably won their last game of the tournament with consumate ease.

Mithali also enjoyed couple of useful stands of 43 and 49 with opener Thirush Kamini (26) and Harmanpreet Kaur (16).

Earlier, the decision to bat first after winning the toss didn't quite work for Pakistan, who were saved to a large extent due to the contrasting half-centuries from Nain Abidi (58) and Nida Dar (68 not out).

The Indians bowlers, led by the economical pace duo of Jhulan Goswami (2/17) and Nagarajan Niranjana (3/35), kept it tight for most part of the 50 overs.

The hosts, who were knocked out of the event after being stunned by minnows Sri Lanka in a must-win group match, were off to a perfect start when they sent back the Pakistani openers with just 28 runs on the board in 11 overs.

But Abidi steadied the rocking boat by forging a small 32-run partnership with Bimah Maroof (15). Then came the crucial 80-run stand with Dar, which brought Pakistan back into the match.

Dar was the more aggressive of the two batters, striking seven fours in her 83-ball knock.

Abidi faced 113 balls and struck five fours before being out caught by Thirush Kamini off Goswami's bowling. After the settled partnership was broken, Pakistan could not accelerate in the closing stages faced with a disciplined Indian attack.

For India, Ekta Bisht also chipped in with a wicket even though she was tad expensive, conceding 50 runs in her nine overs.
Story first published on: Thursday, 07 February 2013 13:10

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Five-time champions Australia have entered the final of the ICC Women's World Cup after thrashing Sri Lanka by nine wickets in their second Super Six match at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.

In reply to Sri Lanka's paltry 131, Australia chased down the target in just 22.2 overs. This was Australia's fifth successive victory in the tournament.

In contrast to the Sri Lankans, who took 206 deliveries to reach the three-digit mark, Australia scored at slightly faster pace than run-a-ball to get to 100 in only 96 balls.

Openers Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes provided a solid platform as the duo stitched a 55-run partnership.

Haynes scored an unbeaten 71 off 61 balls laced with nine fours and two sixes, while Lanning hit a 36-ball 37 studded with six fours and a six.

Prasadini Weerakkody was the only Lankan bowler to have picked up a wicket, getting rid of Lanning.

Earlier, put in to bat, Sri Lanka started on a disastrous note to be reeling at 41 for four before they eventually got all out for 131 in 45.2 overs.

Aussie off-spinner Erin Osborne was the pick of the bowlers, scalping three for nine from her 10 overs.

Incidentally this was Sri Lanka's highest score against Australia, as they were earlier bundled out for 82 in 2000 and 57 in 2005.

One-down batter, Deepika Rasangika (43) anchored the innings to an extent and shared a 49-run stand with wicketkeeper-batter Dilani Manodara (21) to steer the team past 100-run mark.

Australia's pace attack exploited the conditions well as Megan Schutt, Julie Hunter and Holly Ferling picked up wicket apiece at the start.

Australia were without the services of pace spearhead Ellyse Perry, who aggravated an ankle injury.

Cricket Australia Physiotherapist Claire Stokes in a statement said, "Perry has suffered an exacerbation of a pre-existing ankle impingement injury. At this stage we expect her to be fit for the next match against the West Indies."

After losing Yashoda Mendis (0), Chamari Athapaththu (10), skipper Shashikala Siriwardene (2) and Sandamali Dolawatta (4) within the first 16 overs, Sri Lanka crawled their way back for a brief period.

The left-hander Rasangika batted patiently in the able company of Manodara and the duo steadied the innings to some extent.

Rasangika struck seven fours in her 77-ball innings before she was caught at extra cover by Lisa Sthalekar.

Sri Lanka suffered another blow when they lost the set Manodara at the same score of 90. Osborne, who dismissed Manodara, struck in her next over to dismiss the dangerous Eshani Kaushalaya Lokusooriya for a duck.

The Sri Lankan tail wagged a bit to prolong the innings and the last three batters managed to add 23 runs.