Australia And England Reach WT20 Semi-Finals

Australia And England Reach WT20 Semi-Finals

Charlotte Edwards made history as the first woman to reach 1,500 runs in Twenty20 International cricket

©REUTERS / Action Images

England and Australia qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 with comfortable wins over India and Pakistan respectively.

The only two sides to have won the tournament to date proved too strong for their opponents, setting up a clash to decide who will finish on top of Group A.

The first game of the day was rain-affected, Australia defeating Pakistan by 25 runs on the Duckworth/Lewis method. Jess Cameron (42), Alyssa Healy (36) and Lisa Sthalekar (29) guided the reigning champions to a score of 146 for five. Scorecard

Sadia Yousuf took two for 39 and there was a wicket apiece for Sana Mir and Asmavia Iqbal.

Pakistan then never threatened a revised target, closing on 38 for three in nine overs, Ellyse Perry taking a brace of wickets to maintain Australia's winning record.

In the later game, England captain Charlotte Edwards became the first woman to reach 1,500 T20I runs as she helped guide her side to a convincing nine-wicket win over India. Scorecard

Edwards made her way to 50 not out in 53 balls as England closed on 118 for one in 17.1 overs after India had posted 116 for six.

Opening partner Laura Marsh made 39 in 35 balls and Sarah Taylor finished unbeaten on 25 in 15 balls, with four fours, to confirm England's qualification.

Earlier, Marsh had led the way with two for 22 as Poonam Raut (51) and Mithali Raj (35) added 75 for the second wicket before India's innings fell away towards the end.

Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin and Arran Brindle also took a wicket to ensure England's target was lower than it might have been had Raut and Raj been given better support.

© Cricket World 2012