RESULT
3rd Match, Pool A, Taunton, June 12, 2009, ICC Women's World Twenty20
(16.2/20 ov, T:124) 127/1

NZ Women won by 9 wickets (with 22 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
, NZ-W
3/12
sian-ruck
Report

Watkins seals emphatic New Zealand win

A round-up from the ICC Women's World Twenty20 as New Zealand out-classed Australia by nine wickets, and Sri Lanka beat Pakistan

Cricinfo staff
12-Jun-2009
Sian Ruck rattled Australia with 3 for 12, limiting them to 123 for 8  •  Getty Images

Sian Ruck rattled Australia with 3 for 12, limiting them to 123 for 8  •  Getty Images

Australia might, by their own admission, not be the greatest Twenty20 side, and following the men's early eviction from the ICC World Twenty20, their women's side also began their campaign with a heavy nine-wicket defeat to New Zealand at Taunton. New Zealand made light work in chasing 124, racing to victory for the loss of just one wicket with their captain, Aimee Watkins, smacking an unbeaten 73 from 51 balls. Australia were restricted to 123 for 8 in their innings, a total which represented a significant recovery after Sian Ruck (3 for 12), the left-arm fast bowler, helped reduce them to 51 for 6. Lisa Sthalekar hit seven fours in her brisk 46 from 36 balls, and though there were contributions from their lower-order, New Zealand's bowlers were tidy and accurate. Lucy Doolan was the first and only batsman to fall in their chase, run out for 3, and thereafter Suzie Bates and Watkins put on an unbeaten stand of 116 to take their side home, Watkins cracking 12 fours and a six.
Eshani Kausalya turned in a fine allround performance, while Sripali Weerakkody held her nerve with 12 from 10 balls, as Sri Lanka got their ICC Women's World Twenty20 campaign off to a winning start, beating Pakistan by four wickets. Kausalya picked up 3 for 16 in her four overs, helping to restrict Pakistan to an underwhelming 104 for 7. Bismah Maroof top-scored for Pakistan, carrying her bat with 50 from 64, but only Sajjida Shah (18) offered her any support. Sri Lanka's chase began poorly, losing their captain, Chamari Polgampola, for 4, but Inoka Galagedara put them on track with 37 from 41. Wickets continued to tumble at the other end, and though Kaushalya was sixth-man out for a brisk 23, Weerakkody held firm to guide them home.

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NZ Women Innings
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ICC Women's World Twenty20

Pool A
TEAMMWLPTNRR
NZ-W33061.676
AUS-W32140.242
WI-W3122-1.154
SA-W3030-0.717
Pool B
TEAMMWLPTNRR
ENG-W33062.738
IND-W3214-0.025
SL-W3122-1.207
PAK-W3030-1.481