Match Center

Right. That ends another double header from this World Cup. India zoom to lead Group A, awaiting the second team from Group B to meet in the semi-final. We might come to know that on Sunday. South Africa meet Pakistan at 3 pm local (0400 GMT), followed by the England-West Indies clash at 7 pm local (0800 GMT). The caravan moves to the Sydney Showground Stadium, the venue of the opening match of the World Cup. Join us on 1st March, 2020 for all the fun. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Victorious Indian captain, Harmanpreet Kaur says that winning every game is important and one cannot lose the momentum at any cost. On the bowling unit complimenting each other, Kaur says that they understood the pitch very well and did not give much loose balls. On her own form not quite striking gold, Harmanpreet smiles and hopes that she saves her best for the final. But adds that in this game, she felt in good touch. On Shafali Verma being given the license to go hard at the top, Kaur says that they do not want to restrict anyone from playing their natural game and praises her for giving good starts at the top. Hopes that she continues playing in the same manner.

Sri Lankan skipper, Chamari Atapattu, says that 113 was not enough to defend as 125-130 was a good score on this wicket. But also adds that Shafali Verma was a big wicket on this deck. Laments the dropped catches. On her own form with the bat, Atapattu admits that she got a start but could not carry on. Reckons that if she had stayed longer, they could have crossed 150. On meeting Bangladesh next, who nearly outclassed New Zealand earlier, Chamari says that they just look to play positively in every game and is confident that if they do that, they can beat Bangladesh.

RADHA YADAV HAS BEEN NAMED THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Says that she was just thinking to keep it simple and bowl stump-to-stump. Hopes that India keep the winning momentum going. On Atapattu going great guns in the Powerplay, Radha says that she just focussed on bowling it in the right areas. On her competition with Poonam Yadav, Radha shyly says that Poonam is a legend.

Earlier in the afternoon, Sri Lanka huffed and puffed their way to 113. Given the way the NZ-Ban game went, where 91 was defended, one felt it was a good score. It was an innings of starts with Atapattu scoring the most again. Radha Yadav strut her stuff, with 4 wickets. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

It really looked as if the Lankans were intimidated by the Indian openers. They never got their lines and lengths right and at times when they did, their fielders let them down, dropping simple catches. Udeshika Prabodhani was the only bowler who could hold her head high, with figures of 4-0-13-1. The rest were below average.

Shafali Verma played with freedom, as always, galloping in the Powerplay. Smriti Mandhana made the mistake of complimenting her and paid the price. That did not hurt India in terms of this game but the aim to get batting practice got hurt a bit. Shafali took the limelight, scoring a brisk 47 and the others batted around her.

Chasing modest targets like 114 can always put the batters in two minds. But Mr. Raman had instructed his girls pretty well. No fuss, no double minds. Go out, play your natural, attacking game and gun this total down with ease. That is exactly what his unit did.

Now, that is what you call a comprehensive win. 7 wickets and 32 balls to spare. It is four out of four for India in this World Cup and they are now looking like the team to beat. They have topped Group A in style.

14.4

4

FOUR! WHACK! There come the winning runs! Full and outside off, Deepti gets down and mows a slog sweep over mid-wicket. INDIA ARE VICTORIOUS BY 7 WICKETS!

14.3

1

Comes down the track and pushes it towards long on for one more.

14.2

1

Around middle, pushed towards long on for a run. There is a bad throw at the bowler's end and Deepti wants the overthrow but the throw is backed up at cover.

14.1

1

Full and outside off, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Umesha Thimashini to bowl now.

13.6

1

Full and outside off, Jemimah comes down the track and works it through mid-wicket for one more.

13.5

1

Pushes this towards long on for another single.

13.4

1

Comes down the track again and pushes it towards long on for one.

13.3

.

DROPPED! Another sitter is down. Full and around off, Rodrigues comes down the track and chips this straight to short mid-wicket. Chamari Atpattu leaps and takes the catch, but the ball pops out.

13.2

1

Full and outside off, Deepti reaches out and slog sweeps it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

13.1

1

Full and outside off, worked towards long on for a single.

12.6

1

Full and outside off, swept towards deep mid-wicket for another single.

12.5

1

SAFE. Outside off, Deepti plays it towards point and sets off for a single. Rodrigues responds and so does the fielder. There is a direct hit at the striker's end and the run out appeal is referred upstairs. Just one replay needed to confirm that Jemimah is well in.

There is a direct hit referred upstairs but seems that Rodrigues is well in. Yup. Just one replay is enough.

12.4

1

Goes back and works it through mid-wicket for one.

12.3

4

FOUR! HANDSOME! Full and outside off, Rodrigues leans and drives it through the covers!

12.2

1

Goes back and pushes this through mid-wicket for a run.

12.1

1

Full on middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Shashikala Siriwardene returns. 3-0-33-1 so far.

11.6

.

Full and around middle, Deepti looks to defend but the ball straightens, takes the outside edge and goes through the vacant slip cordon towards short third man.

11.5

4

FOUR! Finally gets one away. Full and outside off, Deepti comes down the track and swings it over mid-wicket for a boundary!

11.4

.

Full and down the leg side, Sharma misses her flick and is hit on the pads.

11.3

1

Full and down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

11.2

1

Full and straight, Deepti prods but the ball skids through, takes the inside edge and pops towards the leg side. A single taken.

11.1

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Kavisha Dilhari is back on. 1-0-7-0 so far.

10.6

1

Works this through the leg side for a single.

10.5

.

Outside off, punched towards cover.

Deepti Sharma walks in now.

10.4

W

OUT! RUN OUT! Hard to criticize after a terrific knock but this is school cricket. Rodrigues pushes it towards mid on and sets off for a single. Shafali is looking at the fielder and then starts to run. The fielder collects the ball and then throws it to the keeper. She collects and disturbs the stumps. The run out appeal is referred upstairs and replays find Verma well short.

Is that a run out? Shafali has her head up in despair. Referred upstairs. Yes. She is gone.

10.3

.

Around off, watchfully defended.

10.2

1

A short ball, pulled away for a run.

10.1

1

Works this through mid-wicket for a single.

Udeshika Prabodhani is back on. 3-0-10-1 so far.

9.6

4b

FOUR BYES! Does not help when the striker is batting at a parallel location to you. Shafali is batting well across her stumps and then is going back, behind the stumps, in the same region as the keeper is. Only a couple of feet away. The bowler fires this outside off and Verma swings. The keeper is busy saving her head from the shot and the bat. Hence, as Verma misses, the keeper misses too. The ball races to the fence behind.

9.5

1

Full and outside off, Rodrigues looks to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge, onto the pads and deflects to the leg side. A quick run taken.

Jemimah Rodrigues comes in for the final rites.

9.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT. Kaur falls. Full and around off, the skipper comes down the track, looks to go big but cannot clear long on. Simple catch for Hansima Karunaratne. The quickfire 47-un stand is broken. Just 32 more needed from 62 balls.

9.3

.

Full and outside off, steered towards short third man.

9.2

1

Works this through mid-wicket for a single.

9.2

1wd

WIDE. Short and outside off, Verma looks to cut but is beaten as the ball stays low.

9.2

1wd

WIDE. Miles outside off, left alone.

9.1

4

FOUR! That is audacious batting. A short ball, outside off, Shafali gets well across, goes outside the pitch and then pulls it over short fine leg!

Shashikala Siriwardene is back on. 2-0-25-0 so far.

8.6

.

Short and outside off, cut straight to point.

8.5

1

She is literally playing a shot every ball. Full and outside off, Verma comes down the track and pummels this down to long on for a single.

8.4

.

Outside off, punched straight to cover.

8.3

.

Full and outside off, SV thinks this will be a wide and lets it go but the ball comes in and is legal.

8.2

2

Another long hop. The Lankans are intimidated. Verma pulls this through mid-wicket and nearly finds the boundary, but it is stopped in the deep. Two runs taken. Not the best of running between the wickets, with both the batters looking at the ball and nearly colliding into one another.

8.1

4

FOUR! It is raining boundaries. Short and outside off, Shafali goes back and cuts it through the covers!

Kavisha Dilhari to bowl now.

7.6

.

Outside off, punched towards point. 15 from the over.

7.5

4

FOUR! She goes again! Full and outside off, Kaur gets down and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket!

7.4

6

SIX! WALLOP! A full toss, Kaur gets down and mows a slog sweep over mid-wicket! That is one thing which Harmanpreet does really well. Punishes the bad balls.

7.3

4

FOUR! Just what Kaur needed. Something that allowed her a bit of time to get onto the back foot. Short and wide outside off, Kaur rocks back and cuts it between short third man and backward point!

7.2

1

Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

7.1

.

Down the leg side, flicked straight to square leg.

Chamari Atapattu returns. 1-0-6-0 so far.

6.6

.

Around off, helped straight to short mid-wicket.

6.5

1

Short, around middle, helped through mid-wicket for one more.

6.4

1

Full on middle, knocked down to long on for a run.

6.3

.

Outside off, watchfully defended.

6.2

.

Full on middle, flicked straight to mid-wicket.

6.1

1

Short and outside off, pulled down to long on for a single.

5.6

.

Around off, well defended. 15 from the over! 49/1 in the Powerplay. Sri Lanka were 35/1 at this stage.

5.5

1

Full and outside off, Verma gets across and looks to slog but mistimes it towards long on. Mid-wicket runs across to her left while long on comes running in. The ball lands in between.

5.4

4

FOUR! Miscue but will find the boundary! A short ball, outside off, Shafali comes down the track and heaves it over mid on for a boundary again!

5.3

6

SIX! Ho ho ho, even better! Full and outside off, Verma reaches out and lofts it miles over long off!

5.2

4

FOUR! Terrific batting! Full and outside off, Shafali backs away and lofts it over mid off.

5.1

.

Short and outside off, slapped straight to point.

Shashikala Siriwardene is back on. 1-0-10-0 so far.

4.6

.

Full and outside off, stays low, watchfully pushed towards cover.

4.5

.

Landed around off, angling away, guided straight to backward point.

Harmanpreet Kaur promotes herself. Good opportunity to get some batting practice.

4.4

W

OUT! Stop the press. A catch has been taken by Sri Lanka. Full on middle, Mandhan backs away to the leg side and looks to go over the leg side. But the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes straight to mid on. Never sure when a ball is in the air, will a Sri Lankan catch it or not. Kavisha Dilhari takes the catch. The quickfire stand is broken.

4.3

.

Outside off, punched off the back foot.

4.2

1

Comes down the track and has a wild hack. The ball goes off the inner half towards square leg but fumbles and gets a single.

4.1

.

Full and around off, pushed towards mid off.

Udeshika Prabodhani returns. 1-0-6-0 so far.

3.6

4

FOUR! Fine way to end the over! Full and outside off, Mandhana leans and lofts it with finesse over mid off! Spoils a good over.

3.5

1

Around middle, whipped down to long on for a run.

3.4

.

Full and around off, driven back to the bowler.

3.3

.

Slower through the air, outside off, Verma looks to run this down to third man but gets a bottom edge which is stopped on the bounce by the keeper.

3.2

.

Around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

3.1

1

Short and around middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

The skipper takes the ball now. Chamari Atapattu to bowl.

2.6

1

Full on middle, worked wide of long on for one more. 11 from the over, 21 from the last 2!

2.5

4

FOUR! GLORIOUS! Nothing wrong about this one. Full and outside off, Mandhana stretches out this time, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it well over mid off. One bounce and into the ropes.

2.4

4

FOUR! Just over! Full and outside off, Mandhana leans and lofts it over mid off. The fielder leaps but the ball goes through!

2.3

1

DROPPED! Another one goes down. Full on middle, Shafali chips this straight back. Sandeepani gets across to her right, goes for the catch but spills it. The ball is parried to cover and the batters take a single.

2.2

.

Outside off, dabbed to short third man.

2.1

1

A short ball, outside off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Sathya Sandeepani to bowl now.

1.6

4

FOUR! Fine shot again. Full and outside off, Verma leans and drives it over a leaping mid off fielder, to her left! 10 from the over, could have easily had a wicket.

1.5

.

Slow, loopy full toss, outside off, driven straight to cover.

1.4

4

FOUR! VIOLENCE! Talk about aggressive cricket and this is an example. Full and outside off, Shafali gets across and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a boundary!

1.4

1wd

WIDE. Landed outside off, Shafali gets a long way across and shoulders arms.

1.3

.

DROPPED! That is a sitter of a catch. Full and outside off, Shafali gets across, looks to swing but gets a leading edge. Now, short extra cover gets across to her right, goes for the catch but is nowhere near the ball. That blinds the fielder at cover who gets a simpler one but she puts it down.

1.2

1

Comes down the track, looks to swing it over the leg side but the ball pitches and then turns away to take the outside edge. Short third man gets across but cannot prevent a single.

1.1

.

Full and outside leg, watchfully defended.

Shashikala Siriwardene to bowl from the other end.

0.6

1

Another glorious cover drive, this is past the fielder in the ring but there is protection in the deep. A single to end an over which could easily have seen 15 runs coming from it.

0.5

.

Full and outside off, driven sweetly but straight to cover.

0.4

1

Works this through mid on for a single.

0.3

.

Comes down the track and flicks but square leg dives to her left and makes a solid stop.

0.2

.

Around off, watchfully defended.

0.1

4

FOUR! GORGEOUS! That is some way to get the run chase going. Full and outside off, Shafali leans and drives. Mid off dives to her left but the ball goes through!

The players are back out in the middle. The Lankans get into a huddle. Now, they disperse. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana are the Indian openers. Udeshika Prabodhani will start off proceedings. Shafali to face. Here we go!

Only Shikha Pandey went for runs today. The others were excellent while Radha Yadav had a ball, taking 4 wickets. They were accurate with their lines and lengths but the fielding was a bit below par. The track is slow but the Indian batting is experienced enough to chase this down. Question is - if the top 3 get dismissed cheaply, then what happens? Stay tuned for the run chase.

As normal, Atapattu went hard at the top, scoring 33 out of the team's 48 in the 9th over. The Lankans then lost their way. Spinners were hard to get by but Kavisha Dilhari's cameo took the total past 100. Her unbeaten 25 from 16 balls ensured that there is something for the bowlers to bowl at.

On paper, this is a below-par total. But given the way the morning game unfolded and also that Atapattu felt at the toss that 120 was enough, we could be in for a good game. Not the best of batting efforts by Sri Lanka but they huffed and puffed their way to ensure that they at least bat out their 20 overs.

19.6

4

FOUR! A fine way to end the innings. Full on middle, Dilhari lofts it through the line and clears mid on! SRI LANKA FINISH ON 113/9!

19.5

2

DROPPED! A very, very difficult chance and a great attempt. A short ball, around off, Prabodhani backs away and pulls. But she does not quite get the elevation. Veda Krishnamurthy runs to her right from mid on, dives full stretch but cannot hang on. A single taken.

19.4

1

Punches this off the back foot for a run.

19.3

1

Short and outside off, sliced over point for a couple.

19.2

1

DROPPED! That should have been taken. Landed outside off, Prabodhani backs away and looks to guide this to third man. There is extra bounce on this one and hence, the outside edge is taken. It goes straight to the keeper but Taniya Bhatia fluffs a simple chance. A single taken to third man.

Udeshika Prabodhani is the last batter.

19.1

W

OUT! BOWLED! That is a terrific delivery. A length ball, around middle, Sandeepani looks to defend but the ball seams away, goes past the outside edge and knocks the off stump out of the ground!

Shikha Pandey to bowl the final over. 3-0-26-0 so far.

Sathya Sandeepani is the new batter.

18.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT! That is a terrific catch by the skipper. A length ball, outside off, de Silva comes down the track and looks to swing hard. Gets a top edge. The ball seems to be clear mi-wicket but Harmanpreet Kaur runs back from he circle, keeps her eyes on it and takes a ripper!

18.5

.

Full and outside off, de Silva looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads.

18.4

1

Full and outside off, Dilhari looks to slog but gets a thick inside edge which goes past the leg stump. A single taken.

18.3

2

Outside off, chipped over mid off for a brace.

18.2

1

Outside off, swept through square leg for a run.

18.1

1

Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.

Poonam Yadav eventually comes back on. 3-0-15-0 so far.

17.6

1

Excellent stop. Full and outside off, Dilhari comes down the track and drives it through the covers. It is in the gap but Harmanpreet Kaur at wide mid off throws her body on the line and stops the ball to her left. Just a single.

17.5

1

Comes down the track and works it through mid on for one more.

17.4

1

Full and down the leg side, paddled to short fine leg for a single.

17.3

2

DIRECT HIT WOULD HAVE HAD DE SILVA! Or, a throw to the keeper would have had Dilhari. Full and around middle, Dilhari comes down the track and works it towards wide long on. She takes the single and is happy. But her partner wants the second. Dilhari starts to run after the throw comes in and would have been gone had the throw been to the keeper. Still, if the throw had found its mark at the bowler's end, de Silva would have been found short.

17.2

1

Comes down the track again and this time works it towards long on for a single.

17.1

.

Full and outside off, de Silva comes down the track and drives, but back to the bowler.

Deepti Sharma to bowl out. 3-0-10-1 so far.

16.6

2

A full toss, outside off, slapped through the covers for a couple. Good fielding by Jemimah Rodrigues in the deep.

16.5

1

Outside off, played through point for a run.

16.4

1

Unlucky for the keeper. Full and oustide off, Dilhari gets across to paddle but the ball hits the toe end of the bat. Now, the keeper is moving down the leg side but the ball goes to her right and she cannot stop it, in spite of sticking out her right leg. A single taken to short third man.

16.3

.

Outside off, played straight to point.

16.2

4

FOUR! Cheeky. Full and outside leg, Dilhari gets down and across and paddles it to the right of short fine leg!

16.1

1

Outside off, de Silva looks to cut but gets a bottom edge onto the keeper's pads. She fumbles and concedes a single.

Shikha Pandey returns. 2-0-17-0 so far.

15.6

.

Slowly bowled on middle, watchfully defended.

15.5

1

Landed outside off, pushed towards short third man for a run.

15.4

1

Full and outside off, chipped over cover for a single.

15.3

2

Short and outside off, sliced behind point for a couple.

Kavisha Dilhari walks in at number 9, replacing Sanjeewani.

15.2

W

OUT! LBW! The review is retained but not the batter. Full and around leg, Sanjeewani gets down, reaches out, looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. India appeal and the umpire agrees, after some thought. Sanjeewani and de Silva get into a long discussion and after an age, signal for the review. Ball Tracker shows it to be clipping the top of the bails, so the review is retained but since it is umpire's call, Sanjeewani has to go.

A delayed call to go for the LBW review. De Silva has been adjudged OUT and it does look out. Did it pitch outside leg? Nope. Ball Tracker shows the pitching to be perfect but the ball to be clipping the top of the bails. Umpire's call.

15.1

.

Short and outside off, chopped straight to cover.

14.6

1

Full and outside off, swept towards deep backward square leg for a single. 4 runs and a wicket from the over, Gayakwad finishes with figures of 4-1-18-2!

14.5

1

Full and outside off, de Silva just pushes it to the left of the bowler and takes a quick single.

Anushka Sanjeewani walks in at number 8, replacing Siriwardene.

14.4

W

OUT! Catching practice. Unbelievable batting. Full and around middle, Siriwardene backs away and swings hard, aiming to clear long on. But there is barely any power and she finds Veda Krishnamurthy running to her right at the fence. No point in playing that shot, especially when the side is half down.

14.3

1

Around middle, de Silva gets across and works it through square leg for a single.

14.2

1

Short and outside off, slapped through the covers for a single.

14.1

.

Landed outside off, Siriwardene looks to run it down to third man but misses.

13.6

.

Goes back in her crease to defend.

13.5

1

Almost a return catch! Full and around leg, Siriwardene looks to defend but the ball sticks on the surface, comes on slowly, hits the bat and then lobs. Radha tries to get across to her right for the catch but the ball goes through to long on. A single taken.

Nilakshi de Silva walks in now, at number 7, replacing Karunaratne.

13.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT, BUT NEARLY A SIX! A schoolkid error from Veda. Full and around middle, Karunaratne comes down the track and looks to go over the top but does not quite get the elevation. Veda Krishnamurthy at long on gets a simple catch, takes it but almost makes a meal of the same, running behind, losing momentum. Nearly touches the ropes but manages to hang on.

13.3

.

Full and around middle, watchfully defended.

13.2

1

Landed outside off, delicately played towards third man for a run.

13.1

1

Short and outside off, slapped through the covers for a single.

Radha Yadav returns. 2-0-16-2 so far.

12.6

4

FOUR! Up and over! Full and outside off, Siriwardene reaches out and lofts it over mid off. The fielder is in the ring.

12.5

.

Full and outside off, watchfully defended.

12.4

1

DROPPED! Should have been taken. Full and outside off, Karunaratne comes down the track, looks to go over the top but mistimes it. The ball goes straight to the bowler who gets a simple catch to her left but puts it down, deflecting the ball towards cover. A single taken.

12.3

.

Slightly quicker from Gayakwad, Karunaratne looks to cut but misses.

12.2

2

Long hop again, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

12.1

.

Short and outside off, cut straight to point.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad is back on. 2-1-7-1 so far.

11.6

1

Short and outside off, slapped to deep cover for a run.

11.5

.

Another ultra-slow delivery, Karunaratne has to wait, then try to flick is done by lack of pace too and gets a thick inside edge onto her pads.

11.4

1

Comes down the track yet again, is done in flight, but adjusts well to work this from middle stump towards mid-wicket for a single.

11.3

4

FOUR! Good use of the feet. Flighted on middle, Siriwardene comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and chips it nicely over the bowler. Beats long on.

11.2

.

Short and outside off, slapped straight to short extra cover.

11.1

.

59 ks out of the hand, looped up on middle, watchfully defended.

10.6

.

That is really ell played. Karunaratne backs away, waits for the ball and guides this late, but finds short third man. 8 runs but a wicket as well from the over. Radha Yadav's figures read 2-0-16-2.

10.5

.

Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

10.5

1wd

WIDE. Down the leg side, sweep shot missed.

10.4

1

Tossed up outside off, watchfully defended towards mid off for a quick single.

Shashikala Siriwardene walks in now, at number 6, replacing Hasini.

10.3

W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Great catch by Taniya Bhatia. Full and outside off, going away with the angle, Perera looks to defend but gets a feather of an outside edge. This is snaffled by Bhatia. They appeal, the umpire takes his time but eventually raises his finger. Sri Lanka are disintegrating now.

10.2

4

FOUR! Landed outside off, guides through the vacant slip cordon towards third man. Short third man (Rajeshwari Gayakwad) tries to stop it, gets to the ball, but while trying to flick it back, her right foot touches the ropes.

10.1

2

Short and outside off, cut through point for a couple.

9.6

1

Shorter, around leg, worked towards deep square leg for one more. 52/3 at the halfway stage.

9.5

.

Another slower ball, 56 kph, Hasini comes down the track but is forced to defend.

9.4

.

Down the leg side, swept straight to short fine leg.

9.3

.

Comes down the track, takes the ball on the full and works it towards short mid-wicket. The non-strikers is looking for the single but is sent back.

9.2

.

Slow, slow, slow loopy ball, around middle, watchfully pushed towards cover.

9.1

1

JUST OVER! Full and around off, Karunaratne comes down the track and lofts it straight back. Poonam leaps, stretches out her right hand, but misses. Only if she had been a little taller. A single taken down to long on.

Poonam Yadav returns. 1-0-7-0 so far.

8.6

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

8.5

1

Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

8.5

1wd

WIDE. Down the leg side again, this time Karunaratne misses her sweep.

8.4

.

Full and outside leg, swept straight to short fine leg.

Hasini Perera walks in at number 5, replacing her skipper.

8.3

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Six and gone. Atapattu goes - is that the end of Sri Lanka as well? Short in length, Chamari rocks back and looks to pull. She hits this really hard but does not have enough elevation. Shikha Pandey is waiting for it patiently and takes it at deep square leg! Out of Sri Lanka's 48, the skipper has scored 33.

8.2

6

SIX! TONK! Dear me, the first one of the entire day! Full and outside off, Atapattu gets down and mows a slog sweep over mid-wicket! That was raw power.

8.1

.

Full and down the leg side, flicked straight to short fine leg.

Radha Yadav to bowl now.

7.6

.

Full and just outside off, watchfully defended. WICKET MAIDEN!

7.5

.

Full and outside off, eased straight to cover again.

7.4

.

Full and outside off, this is eased straight to cover.

7.3

.

Landed outside off, played straight to point.

7.2

.

Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.

Hansima Karunaratne walks in at number 4, replacing Madavi.

7.1

W

OUT! BOWLED! That has gone between the legs! Change of ends works straightaway for Rajeshwari. A loopy ball, around middle, Madavi gets across, looking to flick. But the ball goes straight, misses the bat, hits the front pad and then deflects onto the middle stump!

Rajeshwari Gaywakwad returns. 1-0-7-0 so far.

6.6

4

FOUR! She had to wait an age for that. Short and loopy outside off, spinning in, just 59 kph, Atapattu waits, waits, waits, goes back and punches it through the covers.

6.5

.

Goes for the sweep initially but then seeing the length too full, flicks it towards mid-wicket.

6.4

1

Full and down the leg side, swept through square leg for one more.

6.3

.

Around middle and leg, watchfully defended.

6.2

1

Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for a run.

6.1

1

A low full toss, outside leg, swept through fine leg for a single.

Poonam Yadav to bowl now.

5.6

.

Outside off, punched straight to cover. 35/1 in the Powerplay. Neither side will be too unhappy.

5.5

1lb

Full and down the leg side, Madavi misses her flick and the ball goes off her pads towards fine leg. A leg bye taken.

5.4

.

Short and outside off, cut straight to point.

5.3

.

Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

5.2

2

Full and down the leg side, swept through fine leg for a couple.

5.1

.

Short and outside off, Madavi rocks back and looks to cut but misses.

Deepti Sharma to bowl from a different end in the final over of the Powerplay.

4.6

.

Outside off, a play and a miss.

4.5

2

Full and outside off, Atapattu pushes at it. The ball goes off the outside edge, through the vacant slip cordon, towards third man. Poonam Yadav gives it a good chase from short third man and keeps the ball in play. Two runs taken.

4.4

.

EDGED, DROPPED! That should have been taken. Outside off, Atapattu looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge. It goes to the keeper but Taniya is not able to catch it.

4.3

4

FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Atapattu gets down and sweeps it over square leg for a boundary!

4.2

.

Outside off, punched off the back foot.

4.1

1

Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad into the attack now.

3.6

4

FOUR! Lovely shot. Full and outside off, Atapattu swings through the line and clears mid off with ease.

3.5

1

Full and around off, Harshitha looks to push it to third man but gets a thick outside edge, through the vacant slip region. A single taken.

3.4

1

Landed outside off, dabbed towards third man for a run.

3.3

1

Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.

3.2

.

Outside off, a play and a miss.

3.1

4

FOUR! Nicely played. On a length outside off, Madavi backs away and steers it through third man. Shafali Verma puts in a valiant dive to her left at short third man but misses.

2.6

.

Around off, solidly defended.

2.5

1

Full and around middle, slogged towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

2.4

.

Short and outside off, cut towards point. There is a bit of a fumble from Rajeshwari Gayakwad but no run taken.

2.3

.

Around off, well defended.

2.2

1

Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Harshitha Madavi comes in at number 3, replacing Thimashini.

2.1

W

OUT! CAUGHT! There goes the first wicket. Full and outside off, tossed up just a bit wide, Thimashini gives herself room to the leg side and looks to go inside out but skies it high in the air. Simple catch for Rajeshwari Gayakwad at point.

1.6

4

FOUR! Fine shot. Full on middle, Atapattu gives herself room to the leg side and smashes it over the bowler for a boundary!

1.5

1

Full and outside off, Thimashini looks to push but the ball goes off the outside edge towards third man. A single taken.

1.4

.

Outside off, Thimashini looks to steer it to third man but misses.

1.3

1

Full on middle, tucked wide of mid on for a single.

1.2

.

Landed outside off, angling away, left alone.

1.1

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Pace from the other end. Shikha Pandey to bowl.

0.6

1

Full on middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

0.5

.

Landed outside off, Chamari pushes and misses.

0.4

4

FOUR! Gets it away this time. Down the leg side, this is swept to the fine leg fence.

0.3

.

Full and outside leg, Atapattu looks to defend but misses and is hit on the pads.

0.2

1

Full and outside off, swept through fine leg for a single.

0.1

.

Full and outside off, Thimashini looks to defend but the ball spins in and beats the outside edge.

We are done with the national anthems. The players are out in the middle. Chamari Atapattu and Umesha Thimashini are the openers for Sri Lanka. India start with spin. Deepti Sharma it will be, to Thimashini. Here we go...

Time for the national anthems. Sri Lanka's first.

India (Playing XI) - Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Taniya Bhatia (WK), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav and Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Chamari Atapattu (C), Umesha Thimashini, Hasini Perera, Hansima Karunaratne, Shashikala Siriwardene, Harshitha Madavi, Anushka Sanjeewani (WK), Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Sathya Sandeepani and Udeshika Prabodhani.

Indian captain, Harmanpreet Kaur says that India are okay with both batting or fielding but feels this is a great opportunity to accept the challenge of chasing. Informs that they are unchanged from the previous game. Believes that India have been doing quite well and hence, does not want to try any new things.

Sri Lankan skipper, Chamari Atapattu, says that she is very confident about her batting unit, hence the reason. On the focus, given that Sri Lanka have been knocked out, Chamari says that playing positive cricket is the only focus. Informs that they have made one change, with Sathya Sandeepani coming in for Achini Kulasuriya. Feels that 120 could be a good score on this wicket.

TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. Harmanpreet Kaur has the coin in her hands, she flips the coin and Heads is the call from Chamari Atapattu. It is a Head. SRI LANKA WILL BAT FIRST.

Hola there! Welcome back after the break. New Zealand beating Bangladesh has meant that both, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are already knocked out. This is a dead rubber but both sides have something to play for. India would aim to finish on top with a win, while Sri Lanka would look to get some points on the board.

Match Center

Match 14, Melbourne, February 29, 2020, 09:30 AM

TOP TEAMS

TOP PLAYERS

TOP SERIES

MORE

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password

Add New Playlist