West Indies put pressure on Netherlands

The West Indies provided the surprise result at the International Women's Cricket Council Trophy tournament yesterday by beating the Netherlands.

One of the qualifiers at the last Women's World Cup in 2000, the Netherlands were expected to be one of the top chances from this year's tournament, especially when playing on their home grounds. However, they could score only 125 for 8 in their 50 overs, with the batting dominated by Maartje Koster (40) and Pauline te Beest (34). Doris Francis was the only bowler to take two wickets, at a cost of 20 runs from her 10 overs.

The West Indies side raced to their target of 126 in only 37 overs, and losing only three wickets, with Nadine George scoring 40 and Juliana Nero 39. Eugenie van Leeuwen took 2 for 29 from eight overs for the Netherlands.

Pakistan's side continued on their winning way, and the further they go in the tournament, the more difficult they make it for the Pakistan Cricket Board to deny them their right to be considered the right group to represent the women's game in their country. They beat Scotland by 48 runs.

Pakistan scored 164 for 9 with several contributions being made while Vari Maxwell took 4 for 38 and Kari Anderson 2 for 18 off 10 overs. Scotland replied with 116 in their 50 overs with Anderson scoring 40 and Kathryn White 23. Shaiza Khan took 3 for 27 from 10 overs and Nazia Nazir 2 for 19 off 10.

Japan fared slightly better in their second one-day international by scoring 62, although in 50 overs against Ireland. Barbara McDonald took 3 for 10 off nine overs, Clare Shillington 2 for 4 off 10 and Miriam Grealey 2 for 8 off 10. Ireland, led by an unbeaten 31 by Clare O'Leary, took only nine overs to score 63 for the loss of only one wicket, thus winning by nine wickets.