Kiwis’ bitter-sweet exit

CENTURY-MAKER Suzie Bates produced a milestone innings as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 71 runs yesterday in the Women’s World Cup in Christchurch.

It was the final match of the tournament for both sides, and although New Zealand hold a mathematical chance of making the semi-finals, captain Sophie Devine said that was most unlikely and it was a “bittersweet” win to bow out on.

“Absolutely, we are gutted that we are not moving forward in this tournament and I want to wish those teams that do manage to go through all the best,” she said.

The tournament hosts posted 266 for eight, with Bates scoring 126, before Hannah Rowe took five for 55 to restrict Pakistan to 194 for nine.

It lifted New Zealand to six points, equal with fourth-placed England and India who each have a superior run rate and a game in hand which sees them both threaten to overtake third-placed West Indies — who are one point ahead but have completed their matches. At a crowded Hagley Oval, on New Zealand’s first day without Covid-enforced outdoor spectator restrictions, Bates contributed nearly half the New Zealand total and along the way became only the fourth player in women’s cricket to reach 5 000 runs.

Bates also became the first person to score a century in four consecutive World Cup tournaments but believed her player-of-the-match award should have gone to Rowe.