We were not good enough, says Bates

The White Ferns are out of the Women’s Cricket World Cup after a huge batting collapse against India yesterday morning.

They were bowled out for a paltry 79 after just 25 overs after India had earlier set an imposing target of 266 for victory at County Ground in Derby, England.

‘‘We just weren’t good enough today,’’ White Ferns captain Suzie Bates said. ’’We expected to make the semifinals and that was the goal so everyone’s going to be really disappointed with this tournament.’’

The result marks the first time New Zealand has finished outside the top four at a Women’s World Cup.

Bates elected to bowl after winning the toss, and it initially looked to be a good decision as both Indian openers fell cheaply.

But Mithali Raj hit an unbeaten 109 to anchor the Indian innings, with support from Harmanpreet Kaur (60) and Veda Krishnamurthy’s late 70 from just 45 balls.

Leigh Kasperek did the most damage among the White Ferns’ bowlers, taking 3-for-45.

Facing a tough chase, things started badly for New Zealand as Bates departed for 1.

Things didn’t improve, with Amy Satterthwaite (26), Katey Martin and Amelia Kerr (both 12) the only Kiwis to score double figures as they fell to a 186-run defeat.

‘‘That’s been the case in pressure games this tournament - we haven’t been able to turn up.

‘‘We’ve played good in same games but when we’ve really needed to play well as a team we haven’t.’’

India will now face Australia in the semifinals, while England and Sri Lanka face off in the other semifinal.