England women scored an easy seven wickets win against New Zealand women in the first semi-final of the World T20 played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, on Thursday, to qualify for the final.The final will be played on Saturday, at the same venue, against the winners of the second semi-final between Australia and West Indies.
Opener, Charlotte Edwards, scored 33 runs to set the platform for an easy chase. Edwards hit five boundaries to get on top of the New Zealand bowlers and the England middle order made no mistake to reach home with 16 balls to spare. Edwards was named as player of the match.
Sarah Taylor hit unbeaten 21 in 32 balls, including a six and Lydia Greenway making 22 in 19 balls with two hits to the rope. The favourites of the semi-final, England, had a tight grip from the first over of the match as New Zealand’s best hope and skipper, Suzie Bates was run out for nought, without a single run on the board.
Thanks to an enterprising 30 from Amy Satterthwaite, New Zealand scored 93 for 8, which was below par by a team who became runner up in the two previous occasions.
The two spinners, Danielle Wyatt and Holly Colvin kept a tidy line and length as runs were hard to come by. The spin duo shared four wickets for 30 runs in seven overs.
The right handed New Zealand opener, Satterthwaite kept her cool for nearly an hour, before deciding to open out since she was losing partners at the other end. She faced 39 balls and hit three boundaries before being brilliantly taken on the boundary off Holly Colvin.
Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)
