New Zealand routs India, South Africa thumps West Indies at Women’s T20 World Cup

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — New Zealand dismissed India for 102 to surprisingly win by 58 runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup on Friday.

Also, South Africa pasted the West Indies by 10 wickets.

New Zealand posted a challenging 160-4 and then rolled India in 19 overs for its only second win in 14 T20s this year.

Captain Sophie Devine’s unbeaten 57 off 36 balls with seven boundaries propelled New Zealand’s total in the last five overs.

A run-out dispute stopped play briefly when India thought it bagged Amelia Kerr, who was trying to sneak a second run in the 14th over. The umpires ruled the run out irrelevant because it was a dead ball. Kerr had walked to almost the rope boundary before the ruling by the fourth umpire.

India protested to no avail. But there was no damage. Kerr was caught in the covers off the next ball.

Devine’s strong finish followed a strong foundation of 67 off 46 balls by openers Georgia Plimmer (34) and Suzie Bates (27).

Plimmer and Bates perished while looking for big hits, but India’s hope of a comeback was stymied by Devine raising her fourth T20 half-century off 33 balls. New Zealand racked up 51 runs off the last five overs.

Rosemary Mair trapped India captain Harmanpreet Kaur inside the power play in a scene-stealing 4-19. Mair claimed the last two wickets off successive balls, and fast bowler Lea Tahuhu chipped in with 3-15 to help bundle out India with an over to spare.

Eden Carsen struck off her first delivery with a caught-and-bowled of Shafali Verma, and in her next over dismissed Smriti Mandhana on 12. India couldn’t recover after the dismissal of its senior pros inside the power play.

South Africa thumps West Indies

Captain Laura Wolvaardt (59 not out) and Tazmin Brits (57 not out) made light work of South Africa’s chase, reaching 119 without loss with 13 balls to spare.

Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba grabbed a career-best 4-29 as the West Indies was restricted to 118-6.

West Indies tried eight bowlers to try and prise out Wolvaardt and Brits, who struck 13 boundaries between them.

Spinner Karishma Ramharack came closest to the breakthrough but couldn’t hold on to a sharp return catch when Wolvaardt was on 33.

Earlier, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews feathered an easy catch behind on 10 while going for a drive against Marizanne Kapp in the third over.

Veteran Deandra Dottin lasted for 11 deliveries and scored 13 in her comeback game after two years out before she was caught by Wolvaardt at extra cover while trying to clear the circle against Kapp’s full-pitched delivery.

Mlaba squeezed the West Indies middle order and was on a hat trick after dismissing Shemaine Campbelle and Chinelle Henry to reduce them to 83-6 in 15 overs.

Stafanie Taylor (44 not out) and Zaida James (15) added 35 runs off the final 29 balls but their total never looked enough.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket