Australia, England and Sri Lanka post victories as ICC Women's World Cup 2017 semi-finalists decided

Sport360 staff 00:44 16/07/2017
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  • It was an action packed day at the ICC Women’s World Cup in England with the last of the round robin matches played out amidst a scramble for the remaining semi-final berths.

    Hosts England took on West Indies in their last round robin encounter in Bristol. The England eves had already ensured a semi-final spot while the West Indies were out of contention for one before the game even started. Windies skipper Stafanie Taylor won the toss and elected to field first.

    English skipper Heather Knight led from the front with a well made 67 and with the help of valuable contributions from the tail, England finished on a challenging 220 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 50 overs.

    English skipper Heather Knight led by example.

    English skipper Heather Knight led by example.

    Chasing 221 to win, the West Indies ladies never got going. A sedate opening stand of 37 between Kycia Knight and Hayley Matthew would end up being West Indies’ biggest partnership of the match with only 3 other players crossing the double digit mark. English medium pacer Natalie Sciver’s three wickets were crucial as the West Indies were stranded for 128 for the loss of 9 wickets handing England a 92 run victory.

    The English bowlers were always on top of the West Indies batting.

    The English bowlers were always on top of the West Indies batting.

    Elsewhere, the high flying Aussie women took on South Africa in their last encounter. The Australians were assured of a semi-final berth going into the game while South Africa Eves had to win to ensure a semi-final spot. Stand in skipper Rachel Haynes won the toss and elected to bat.

    Half centuries from openers Nicole Bolton and Beth Mooney provided Australia with a massive platform to build on and a quick fire 55 runs from star Ellyse Perry guided the Aussie Eves to a commanding 269 runs before they were bowled out in the 49th over.

    Australia's Ellyse Perry shone through with a quick 55.

    Australia’s Ellyse Perry shone through with a quick 55.

    Opener Laura Wolvaardt led the led the reply from the South Africans with a score of 71 but the disciplined bowling and fielding from the Aussies insured that the latter was always in control of the game. South Africa ladies folded for 210 runs in the final delivery of the 50th over handing Australia a 59 run victory but it was still enough for the Proteas to claim the final semi-final spot.

    Meanwhile in Leicester, it was a battle of the subcontinent teams with Pakistan eves taking on Sri Lanka. Both the teams had faced a torrid time in the tournament and were looking for their first victory. Sri Lankan Women came out to bat first after winning the toss and thanks to a stylish 84 from wicketkeeper Dilani Manodara finished on an impressive 221 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their quota of 50 overs.

    A spirited bowling effort from Sri Lanka scripted their first victory of the tournament.

    A spirited bowling effort from Sri Lanka scripted their first victory of the tournament.

    In reply, the Pakistani eves ran Sri Lanka close but fell short by a mere 15 runs after being bowled out in the 47th over handing Sri Lanka their first victory of the World Cup.

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