Kiwi seamers destroy Lankan batting

Saturday, 9 February 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

New Zealand started its Super Six campaign in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013 in style, drubbing Sri Lanka by eight wickets at the Bandra Kurla Complex ground on Friday (February 8).

Choosing to field first, New Zealand, spearheaded by Sian Ruck and Lea Tahuhu, bowled out Sri Lanka for 103 in 42 overs, and then reached the target in the 23rd over for the loss of Suzie Bates, the captain, and Amy Satterthwaite.

Ruck and Tahuhu picked up seven wickets between them to trigger a bad day for Sri Lanka, which has otherwise had a dream tournament so far.

Sri Lanka’s trouble started right at the top as Yasoda Mendis and Chamari Athapaththu, the two openers, were both dismissed for zero inside the seventh over. Soon, Tahuhu bowled Deepika Rasangika, the star of the victory over India, and Ruck accounted for Shashikala Siriwardena, the captain.

With Sri Lanka struggling at 23 for four, Dilani Manodara and Sandamali Dolawatte got together to resurrect the innings with a 38-run partnership, but that was to be the last show of resistance from the batters. After Katie Perkins caught Dolawatte off Tahuhu for 19, Eshani Kaushalya was run out for two and Rachel Priest, the wicketkeeper, caught Manodara to put Sri Lanka out of the contest. Manodara’s 34 was the highest score of the innings and it contained four hits to the fence.

Tahuhu, who returned figures of four for 27, accounted for Udeshika Prabodhani to bring an end to the innings.

New Zealand started its chase in steady fashion as Frances McKay, who remained unbeaten on 39, and Bates put on 71 for the first wicket. Bates was the first to go, caught behind off Inoka Ranaweera for 37 in the 16th over. Her innings had six boundaries. Ranaweera struck again in the same over sending back Satterthwaite, but McKay, who hit five fours, and Sophie Devine, with unbeaten 29 which included four fours and a six, ensured that there was no more damage before the target was attained.