World Champions beat to quality Drumm to see off England

England reached their highest batting total of the Women's Cricket World Series in Christchurch, New Zealand today, but it was not enough to halt the progress of the host nation and current World Champions, who ran out seven-wicket winners.

England Captain Clare Connor won the toss and elected to bat, with England reaching 173 for nine in their 50 overs. The new opening partnership of Kathryn Leng (Yorkshire) and Sarah Collyer (Somerset) made a solid start, Leng especially looking in fine touch driving opening bowler Kate Pulford straight down the ground for four in the first over.

The pair had reached 38 in the ninth over before Leng was caught by Haidee Tiffen off Mason for 16. She was replaced by Claire Taylor, who has been playing State cricket in Canterbury this season, and drove imperiously to open her account.

Tiffen's fielding is one of the reasons why New Zealand hold the cherished World Championship crown, and a direct hit ran out Taylor when she had made just eight.

Collyer stayed at the crease to reach 39 in the 28th over, before being run out by more sharp fielding, and England were 83 for three. Steele then removed three England middle order wickets in quick succession as Connor was caught and bowled, Arran Thompson stumped by Rebecca Rolls, and Laura Newton dismissed lbw, which saw England at 106 for six in the 37th over.

This time, England's tail had some venom, and attacking batting from youngsters Laura Spragg and Nicki Shaw assisted Dawn Holden in taking England to 144 for eight, Holden reaching 26 before being adjudged lbw.

Shaw, in particular, drove well, starting her innings with two fours and the Nottinghamshire pair kept the scoreboard ticking over with well-worked singles as England's run rate reached 3.30 an over for the first time since the opening stand.

Clare Taylor, who became the first Englishwoman to reach 100 caps for her country during the tournament, finished on 16 not out.

New Zealand skipper Emily Drumm led the reply after England had taken two quick wickets in the opening spell to leave the match finely balanced with the home side on 53 for two.

With New Zealand significantly trailing the required run rate Drumm began to assert some authority over the England bowling. She was dismissed on 92 in the 45th over of the match, when the scores were level, trying to make the winning runs. That honour fell to Tiffen.

Despite England's bowlers containing the New Zealanders, who didn't reach the required run rate until the 41st over, they were unable to take key wickets and New Zealand have secured their place in the Final on Saturday. They face Australia in a repeat of the thrilling World Cup Final at the same venue in December 2000.

England will play India in their last group game on Thursday 6th Feb and will face them again the following day in the play-off for third place.

ENGLAND: Kathryn Leng (Yorkshire), Sarah Collyer (Somerset), Claire Taylor (Berkshire), Arran Thompson (Lancashire), Laura Newton (Cheshire), Clare Connor (Capt, Sussex), Dawn Holden (Nottinghamshire), Laura Spragg (Yorkshire), Nicki Shaw (Nottinghamshire), Clare Taylor (Yorkshire), Lucy Pearson (Staffordshire).