Rain spoils WI opener in Women’s World Cup

PRETORIA: Maia Lewis slammed 77 for New Zealand against the West Indies but rain had the final say, ruining the regional team’s opening match as all four matches in the Women’s World Cup fell victim to the weather yesterday. Behind Lewis’ half century, New Zealand reached 178 for eight in their 50 overs after being sent into bat by the West Indies who called correctly at the toss in a match played at Harlequins. Nicola Browne chipped in with 25 while opener Maria Fahey with 15, and Haidee Tiffen, 13, also got into double figures. Right arm medium pacer Philippa Thomas finished with two for 19 while Envis Williams, also bowling medium pace, took two for 32.

When the West Indies batted, they had reached 18 for two in 3.4 overs, before the rains came and ended the encounter. Each team finished with three points. The Windies women did well to restrict the Kiwis after openers Lewis and Fahey posted 50 for the first wicket. But when Williams bowled Fahey soon afterward and Emily Drumm was run out by Nelly Williams, New Zealand lost a clatter of wickets to crumble to 104 for five.

Browne joined Lewis to propped up the lower order with a sixth wicket stand of 64, which helped New Zealand to their eventual score. The West Indies had a cautious start but lost openers Nadine George (0) and Williams (10) in successive overs with the score on 16, to lose their way. At SuperSport Park, Centurion, hosts South Africa posted 204 for seven but Ireland were not able to start their reply while at Technikon Oval, England reached 169 for seven against Australia. At the Laudium Oval, India bowled out Sri Lanka out for 116 before reaching four without loss in reply.