Aussies and NZ through but Group A up for grabs

In Group B Australia and New Zealand have booked their place in the Super Six stage of the competition courtesy of victories over South Africa and Pakistan respectively. They will play each other on Tuesday to see who carries through the most points to the next stage of the competition.

Australia saw off a spirited South Africa by three wickets, chasing down the Proteas' 188 for 9, which was based around solid contributions from Trisha Chetty (59) and Marizanne Kapp (61). While they both made decent scores they both batted too slowly to accumulate a challenging score for the Aussies to chase. Although they would have had their hearts in their mouths with their score at 34/3. Ellyse Perry picked up three wickets and Megan Schutt two for the Southern Stars.

Having got to 33 without too many scares Australia proceeded to lose three wickets for one run - Lanning, Cameron and Blackwell all departing, but Rachael Haynes (83) and Lisa Sthalekar (29), steadied the ship and, even when Sthalekar went Haynes found company in Jodie Fields (21) and they took the score to within 39 runs of victory. Another mini collapse ensued but the Aussies crossed the line with nearly five overs to spare.

New Zealand made short work of Pakistan, chasing down 109 in less than 30 overs. Rachel Candy took 5/19 off her 10 overs as Pakistan's fragile batting once again crumbled to dust. Suzie Bates helped herself to a gentle 65no in the New Zealand response.

In Group A wins for the West Indies and England have opened the group up, with each side now having won one of their two games. The West Indies battered Sri Lanka for 368/8 thanks in the main to 171 from Stafanie Taylor. Deandra Dottin also chipped in with another 50 this time off 27 balls including five 4s and four 6s. It was too much for Sri Lanka who fell a mere 209 runs short when they were bowled out for 159. Their top scorer was Deepika Rasangika with just 28 runs. Leg-spinner Shaquana Qunityne took 3/32.

The game between India and England always looked to be the closest and so it proved. Having been inserted by the Indians England made a slow and cautious start against some fine bowling in helpful conditions from Jhulan Goswami. Charlotte Edwards had only scored one off her first twenty balls and even Sarah Taylor, who was hitting the ball sweetly had trouble scoring at her usual pace. But together they put on 100 for the second wicket before Taylor was run out attempting a "steal" to mid-on. A direct hit from Sharma was just enough to beat her. Thereafter there were cameo knocks from Greenway, Brunt and Brindle, while Edwards slowly found her touch on her way to becoming the highest ever run scorer in ODI history and a well-deserved century off 113 balls. She was eventually run out for 109 as Brindle called her for a sharp single to extra cover, for which she did not seem prepared. England finally got to 272/8 although it probably should have been some more. The last 10 overs yielded only 83 despite wickets in hand. With the pitch easing it was touch and go if this would be enough.

Three early wickets for openers Brunt and Shrubsole left India in a hole at 29/3, but it was one from which they gradually extracted themselves as Harmanpreet Kaur (107no) and Karu Jain (56) put on 106 for the third wicket, but it took them 26 overs, by which time the run rate was creeping up to six per over. Kaur batted beautifully scoring consistently at near a run a ball, but the required rate gradually rose as a succession of batsmen came and went. The powerplay was India's last hope, but they had no answer for Brunt's pace and back of a length bowling. She claimed 4/29 in 9 overs, including bowling at the death, and effectively snuffed out the Indian challenge for the win. Mention should also be made for Holly Colvin, who had tied down Kaur and Jain in the middle overs with a spell of 10 overs for only 29 runs. In the end it was a comfortable win on paper for England, but there was much puffing out of cheeks as Danni Wyatt bowled the last ball with India defeated by 32 runs and Kaur undefeated with her maiden century.

India will take on Sri Lanka and England will take on the West Indies on Tuesday. The winners of those games will go through and one of the losers will go through based on the best net run rate. Hold on to your hats.

Scorecards
South Africa v Australia - http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-womens-world-cup-2013/engine/current/match/594896.html
India v England - http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-womens-world-cup-2013/engine/current/match/594897.html
Pakistan v New Zealand - http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-womens-world-cup-2013/engine/current/match/594895.html
West Indies v Sri Lanka - http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-womens-world-cup-2013/engine/current/match/594898.html

MD
03/II/13