Kaur power

A stunning unbeaten 171 from Harmanpreet Kaur has lifted India to the women’s Cricket World Cup final, knocking out defending champions Australia. Kaur’s match-winning innings inspired India to a 36-run upset win in the semifinal at Derby and means they will take on hosts England in Monday’s final at Lord’s. India got through to a challenging 281-4, batting first, thanks largely to Kaur’s sensational batting, which included 20 fours and seven sixes and came from just 115 balls. India were in early trouble at 35-2, but Kaur, batting at No 4, steadied their innings, sharing in a 137-run fourth wicket stand with Deepti Sharma. Australia made a horror start in reply, falling to 21-3. They lost a flurry of wickets in the middle stages after Ellyse Perry and Elyse Villani had tried to rebuild the innings with a 105-run fourth wicket partnership. Villani hit 75 for Australia, while No 6 Alex Blackwell, who blasted 90 from 56 balls.