New Zealand beat India by 62 runs in a comprehensive victory in Hamilton to earn their first victory in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Fifties from Amy Satterthwaite and Amelia Kerr helped New Zealand to set a target of 260-9 and Kerr came back with the ball, picking up three wickets for 56 runs in nine overs to bowl out India for 198 runs.
Fielding first after winning the toss, India was given a good start as Suzie Bates was run out in the third over, trying to take a quick run before a direct-hit by Pooja Vastrakar sent her back.
Kerr stitched up a 45-run partnership with skipper Sophie Devine and put together a run-a-ball 67 stand with Satterthwaite after Devine’s dismissal.
Kerr, who scored 50 off 64 balls, was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Satterthwaite, who was adjudged the man of the match, steered the innings for New Zealand with a fluent knock of 75 runs off 84 deliveries with nine fours, sharing a 54 run and a 49 run partnership with batters Maddy Green(27) and Katey Martin(41) to push New Zealand to 260.
Indian fast-bowler, Pooja Vastrakar was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-34(10) as she stagnated New Zealand’s charge with an impressive spell of death bowling.
India struggled with the bat in reply and were teetering after the loss of five wickets for just 100 runs on the board.
Harmanpreet Kaur stood tall with the bat for India, scoring 71 runs off just 63 deliveries with six fours and two sixes, as she made a 47-run partnership with skipper Mithali Raj keeping but the skillful leg-spin of 21-year-old Amelia Kerr halted India’s effort as she picked up the wickets of both Raj and Kaur.
The pace and precision of Lee Tahuhu, who had figures of 3-17, in tandem with the skillful spin of Kerr never allowed India a hint of chasing down the White Ferns’ target.
