Nottingham, 18 June 2009
Captain’s unbeaten 58-ball 89 too much for India; England faces Australia in other semi-final tomorrow at the Oval
Aimee Watkins smashed the tournament’s highest score – for men or women – with a superb 58-ball 89 not out against India to drive New Zealand into the final in fine style. The White Ferns, who were clear favourites for this match, reached 145-5 at Trent Bridge after opting to bat, the target proving too much for India who could only manage 93-9 in reply.
Coach Gary Stead praised Watkins’ high-scoring feat. “It was an outstanding performance. For a women’s cricketer to achieve that on the big stage first up is a pretty special thing to do.”
The powerful Watkins led from the front with an innings which included 10 fours and two sixes, while her team-mates offering good support in pushing the ones and the twos. She struck plenty of entertaining shots – the best of which were an on-driven four and the sixes over square and point – but was in full control throughout.
Asked if this was her best batting performance, Watkins replied: “I've played some good innings, so I can't really say. But this would be one of my best.”
India’s batters arrived facing a mountain and soon lost Poonam Raut to Sian Ruck, flicking limply to fine leg. This brought in the class batters of Anjum Chopra and Mithali Raj on whom India had been heavily reliant in sealing its semi-final place but their dismissals only book-ended a clatter of wickets that signalled the end for India at 49-5 as their required run-rate had steepened alarmingly. The rest followed meekly.
Chopra departed for 15 to Bates’s superb catch at midwicket off Kate Pulford, with Ruck knocking back Kaur’s leg stump from the other end next ball for her second (30-3). Reema Malhotra was run-out soon after, hesitating over a push to short midwicket (41-4). When Mithali then selflessly holed out to long-on for 20 (49-5) there was no way back for India.
Watkins praised her bowlers. “If you bowl the right length on that pitch, it’s hard to score. But perhaps the batters could have used their feet more and been inventive.”
India captain Jhulan Goswami said: “Aimee Watkins played superbly and 145 was a good performance. We tried to restrict them to less than 130 but the openers didn’t give us a good start.”
Team manager Diana Edulji said there was much to work on for the future. “Our fielding is on the weaker side but we took some good catches and there was a good run-out today. We have learned a lot from this experience and will take plenty of positives out of the tournament.”
New Zealand, meanwhile, will have to wait until Friday to find who will face them in the final, when Australia takes on England at The Oval.
ICC MEDIA RELEASE
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