The men might be out of the World cup but the Women are doing well and have secured a place in the semi final!
India sealed a semi-final spot after defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in a rain-affected match at Taunton. Mithali Raj and Poonam Raut took India past a modest target, butSri Lanka stayed in the contest by picking up wickets regularly.
Sri Lanka batted first after the match was reduced to an 18-over contest, but never really got going against a tight Indian bowling unit. Deepika Rasangika top scored forSri Lanka with 24, as her team mustered a modest total of 94 in its allotted 18 overs.
Medium pacer Rumeli Dhar led the Indian attack with miserly figures of 2 for 4 in four overs, supported by left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana, who also picked up two wickets.
India did not have the best of starts in their reply, finding themselves in a spot of bother at 33 for 3. Opening batsman Poonam Raut made a cautious yet vital 30 from 41 balls before being dismissed, but Mithali Raj at the other end was more aggressive, scoring an unbeaten 32 from just 22 balls. The duo ensured the required rate hovered around at the 6-per-over mark, before Raj finished the match in the 17th over.
England play Pakistan in the final Group B league match, which will decide who tops the group. England are already through to the semi-finals, but a Pakistan win could affect England’s net run-rate, giving India an opportunity to finish in first place.
