Tahuhu on song as Kiwis crush Sri Lanka by eight wickets

New Zealand made a fine start to the Super Six stage of the ICC Women’s World Cup with a thumping eight wicket win over Sri Lanka at the BKC in Mumbai. The Kiwi pacers set tone for the impressive victory as they ran riot through the Lankan batting order, bundling them out for just 103 runs in 42 overs. Lea Tahuhu was the brilliant for NZ, finishing her 10 overs with figures of 4/27. On a day of low-scoring encounters, Australia also managed to score just 147 runs before being all out in 44.4 overs. In contrast, New Zealand comfortably chased down their target of 104 runs. Sofie Devine finished the match with a massive six down the ground and remained not out on 29 (30 balls, 4x4, 1x6) with opener Frances Mackay (39 runs, 64 balls, 5x4). At the start of the innings, Mackay and Suzie Bates had put up a stand of 71 runs before the latter was caught behind for 37 runs (41 balls, 6x4). [caption id=“attachment_618684” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sri Lanka had no answer to New Zealand’s pace attack. ICC/Solaris Images[/caption] Amy Satterthwaite was the only disappointment for NZ, scoring a three-ball duck. Tahuhu and Sian Ruck’s opening spell reduced Sri Lanka to 23-4 after just 8.1 overs – justifying the decision to field first after skipper Bates won the toss. Openers Chamari Atapattu and Yasoda Mendis were bowled for ducks and that was a sign of things to come. Atapattu could not score a single run in 24 deliveries – giving the impression that the New Zealand’s bowlers were simply unplayable. However, Deepika Rasangika, who has been SL’s top-scorer in the tournament, did provide some batting entertainment as she scored four fine boundaries before being bowled by Tahuhu. Even captain Shashikala Siriwardene, fresh from a half century against India in the final Group A match, could not stick around for more than six deliveries and had Dinali Manodara and Sandamali Dolawatte to thank for helping their team from complete demolition. The two middle-order batters put together 38 runs – the innings’ highest partnership to at least make a match out of what was a one-sided contest since the first delivery was bowled. Even while teetering at 61-5, Sri Lanka had some hope to score with Eshani Kaushalya at the crease. The big-hitting all-rounder has already scored two quick-fire half-centuries to win her team matches against England and India. But a terrible communication lapse resulted in her run-out and she made her frustration plain for everyone to see as she walked off the pitch after scoring just two runs (16 balls). And when Eshani doesn’t fire, Sri Lanka have failed to win – and there was enough proof of that today. The underdogs of the tournament will now gear up to face Australia on 10 February at Brabourne stadium while New Zealand will face West Indies on 11 February at the same venue.