New Zealand thrashed India by seven wickets in their Women’s World Cup warm-up game in Derby on Monday. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India were off to a horrendous start, losing opener Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana for 20 runs. However, Punam Raut and skipper Mithali Raj steadied the innings to take India to 60/2. But then began a sensational batting collapse as India were bowled out for 130.
The New Zealand bowlers were at their very best with each bowler chipping in with a wicket or two. Anna Peterson, Erin Bermingham and Hananh Rowe picked up two wickets apiece to demolish the Indian batting lineup.
New Zealand chased the target down in 27 overs, with Rachel Priest smashing a brilliant half century. India could manage only three wickets in the process, with Poonam Yadav taking two of them. India will now face Sri Lanka in another warm-up game in Chesterfield on June 21.
Brief scores:
India 130 (Punam Raut 33; Anna Peterson 2/14) lost to New Zealand 133 (Rachel Priest 52; Poonam Yadav 2/19) by seven wickets.