England Make It 16 In A Row; Pakistan & India Win

England Make It 16 In A Row; Pakistan & India Win

Charlotte Edwards sweeps during her important innings for England.

©ICC

Super Sixes: England beat New Zealand; India beat Australia; Pakistan beat West Indies
Points Table

England Women made it 16 ODI wins in a row by beating New Zealand Women in their first Super Six World Cup match while India beat Australia and Pakistan beat the West Indies to leave five teams still in with a shout of reaching the final.

England's 31-run over New Zealand, the only other team left with an unbeaten record, came courtesy of a half-century from Charlotte Edwards (57) which propelled her side to 201 for five.

New Zealand were then bowled out for 170, despite captain Haidee Tiffen hitting 53 from the top of the order. They were unable to form enough partnerships throughout their innings as Edwards completed a superb all-round game by taking four for 37, her best return in ODIs.

She had said before the match that there was more to come from her side, and they were good to her word. Caroline Atkins (36) again got a start for England and some late hitting from Beth Morgan (37 not out) and Jenny Gunn (22 not out) ensured that they posted a total that was beyond the White Ferns.

Sophie Devine picked up two wickets while Katherine Brunt and Laura Marsh shared four wickets in the New Zealand innings. Scorecard

"Everyone contributed to the game today which was really pleasing to see," coach Mark Lane commented afterwards. "It was hard work for us against an aggressive, dangerous New Zealand side. I'm really happy with today's performance and look forward to the game against the West Indies on Tuesday with excitement."

Australia's defence of their title is on even rockier ground following a loss to India by 16 runs. The Southern Stars had comfortably beaten India in a series prior to the World Cup but the Asian side turned the tables, Anjum Chopra's 76 setting up an important win.

She struck six fours and a six as she anchored the innings, allowing Anagha Deshpande (45), Mithali Raj (44) and Amita Sharma (31 not out) to bat more aggressively around her as India reached an imposing 234 for five.

Lisa Sthalekar picked up three for 45 but once again her bowling outdid her batting and she was dismissed for a three-ball duck.

Captain Karen Rolton went for just eight and in form opener Shelley Nitschke made just 17. They did hit back, however, Alex Blackwell making 54, Jodie Fields 43 and Lauren Ebsary 39 not out, but she had been left with too much to do and they closed on 218 for seven. Scorecard

With their hopes hanging by a thread, Rolton commented: "We just need to go back to the basics and start doing them well and if we do that I think we'll give England a good run for their money and then whatever happens, happens.

"It's out of our control at the moment."

In the battle between the two unfancied sides, Pakistan took only their second ever World Cup win with a four-wicket win over the West Indies.

Stefanie Taylor (55 and 1-13) drove her team on but received little support as they were restricted to 132 for nine, only Deandra Dottin, who made 23, threatening to go on and make a score.

Almas Akram picked up three for seven.

Pakistan's run chase was a nervy affair, and after losing early wickets, they were indebted to an unbeaten 43 from wicket-keeper Armaan Khan as they got home with 13 balls to spare. Scorecard

Almas Akraam said: "Our team performance was extremely good and we never felt under pressure, even though the West Indies are more experienced."

© Cricket World 2009

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