India closer to semifinal after win over Sri Lanka
DERBY: Brilliant all-round performance helped India beat Sri Lanka by 16 runs in a group stage match of the ICC Women’s World Cup at the County Cricket ground here on Wednesday.
Chasing 233, Sri Lanka never looked in the contention as they lost their wickets at regular intervals. Middle-order players -- Chamari Atapattu (25), Dilani Manodara (37) and Shashikala Siriwardene (61) -- however, displayed some good batting, but Indian bowlers soon overpowered them.
Besides these, however, no other Sri Lankan batswomen stepped up to the occasion and losing wickets at the regular intervals, Sri Lanka went down to India.
For India, Poonam Yadav and Jhulan Goswami took two wickets each.
Earlier, winning the toss and electing to bat, Deepti Sharma (78) and skipper Mithali Raj (53) helped India post what turned out to be a decent 232/8.
After a poor start by the top order batswomen, Deepti and Mithali forged a 118-run thirdwicket partnership in 26 overs to stabilise the Indian innings.
But just when things seemed good at the middle, Deepti was sent packing in the 37th over by pacer Ama Kanchana. Deepti slammed 10 boundaries in her 110-ball knock.
New batswoman Jhulan Goswami (9) was dismissed in the 40th over and in the same over Miltali was adjudged leg before wicket off Slow left-arm orthodox Inoka Ranaweera.
For Sri Lanka, Weerakkody scalped three wickets while Ranaweera took two wickets.
Going into the match, the India skipper needed 87 runs to become the highest run-getter in women’s ODIs.
That would have given India more reasons to celebrate as India’s Jhulan Goswami is currently the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs.
This is the first time India are eyeing to occupy the top spot in both batting and bowling in ODIs.