Women's World Cup: India lose to NZ despite Harmanpreet's heroics
New Zealand beat India in the eighth match of the 2022 ICC Women's World Cup at Seddon Park, Hamilton. The hosts successfully defended 260, with Lea Tahuhu recording figures of 3/17. A scintillating knock by Indian batter Harmanpreet Kaur went in vain (71). Earlier, Amy Satterthwaite smashed a match-defining 75. New Zealand claimed their second consecutive win in the ongoing tournament.
New Zealand's top order did well after India elected to field. Sophie Devine (35), Amelia Kerr (50), and Amy Satterthwaite (75) kept them afloat. Although the lower middle-order didn't do well, Katey Martin's handy 41 powered New Zealand to 260/9 in 50 overs. Harmanpreet Kaur was the lone warrior for India in the run-chase. She lost support from others as India perished on 198.
Pace spearhead Jhulan Goswami scalped a solitary wicket for 41 runs in nine overs (one maiden). She now has the joint-most wickets in Women's World Cup along with Lyn Fullston. The former has snapped up 39 wickets from 30 World Cup games at an incredible average of 20.20. The tally includes the best match haul of 4/16.
New Zealand top-order batter Amelia Kerr continued her splendid run against India in ODIs. She scored a commanding 50 off 64 balls with the help of 5 fours. It was her sixth half-century in Women's ODIs. Kerr's last five ODI innings against India read as - 50, 66, 68*, 67, and 119*. She also completed 1,100 runs in ODI cricket.
Middle-order batter Harmanpreet inspired hope in the Indian camp in the middle overs. She came in the middle when India were reduced to 50/3. Harmanpreet kept the scoreboard ticking with a brisk 71 (63). However, she lacked the support of other batters.
Mithali Raj led India for the 150th time in Women's ODIs. She has become the first woman to reach this landmark in the format. England's Charlotte Edwards follows Raj on the tally with 117 matches as captain. Under Raj, India have won 87 and lost 60 ODIs (NR: 3). She has a win percentage of 59.18 as captain in ODIs.
Satterthwaite was adjudged the Player of the Match for her phenomenal 75 (84). It was her 27th half-century in Women's ODIs. Her valuable knock was laced with 9 fours. In the bowling section, Lea Tahuhu emerged as the standout performer. She conceded just 17 runs in 10 overs and took three wickets. Amelia Kerr, who scored 50, also accounted for three wickets.
