New Zealand v India, Women's World Cup semi-final

India reach their first World Cup final

The Bulletin by Jenny Thompson

April 7, 2005

India 204 for 6 (Raj 91*, Chopra 44) defeated New Zealand 164 (Fahey 73*) by 40 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

India's captain Mithali Raj steered her team into their first World Cup final with a blazing 91 not out © Getty Images

India romped into their first World Cup final with a convincing 40-run win against the holders New Zealand. They will now face Australia in a repeat of the men's, but will be hoping for a different outcome on Sunday. For now, though, they are celebrating their historic victory, which was set up by Mithali Raj's unbeaten 91. Anjum Chopra also contributed 44 as India blistered their way to a towering total of 204 for 6 that proved more than enough.

Maia Lewis sent India in, expecting a traditional collapse from India's sometimes self-destructive batsmen. It never came. After losing two early wickets, Chopra and Raj steadied the ship and added 66 for the third wicket. The captain Raj was in imperious form with some silky strokes and her strong leadership was just what was needed. She and Chopra showed their initiative in going over the top, although such enterprise nearly cost Chopra early when on 21 - Rachel Pullar spilled a simple chance at long-on, one of several missed opportunities in a poor display from New Zealand.

Pullar atoned with four wickets, but overall New Zealand's outfielding was woeful. They were careless in the field, turning singles into fours and spilling chances, while India took theirs to post a decent total - and nothing could halt Raj's charge. Chopra eventually tried one aerial shot too far - Nicola Browne ignored the overbearing mood to hold a magnificent diving catch at mid-off - but Raj continued undaunted as she led India to their highest total in the tournament to date.

New Zealand's reply got off to a dreadful start as they lost two quick wickets for 13 runs. Aimee Mason was the first to fall to a direct hit from Jaya Sharma, then Amita Sharma removed Rebecca Rolls' middle stump with a perfect yorker. They never recovered from there. But the next casualty was Indian: Raj hobbled off after spraining her right knee sliding at mid-off. She now has an anxious wait to see if she can recover in time for Sunday, although she has vowed to play through whatever pain she is suffering.

But today the pain was New Zealand's. Nooshin Al Khader was the next to strike, picking up two wickets in her first over to remove Maia Lewis and Haidee Tiffen and place New Zealand in firm trouble. Maria Fahey began to rebuild and she went on to an unbeaten 73, but hers was a lone stand and the result was never in doubt, as India's bowlers completed the task and the mountain proved unconquerable.

How they were out

India

Jaya Sharma c McGlashan b Pullar 0 (7 for 1)
Attempted to guide through mid-wicket, but sent leading edge to cover

Anju Jain c Rolls b Milliken 11 (38 for 2)
Edged to second slip after chasing wideish one of decent length

Anjum Chopra c Browne b Steele 44 (104 for 3)
Slapped high to mid-off for an excellent diving catch to the right

Rumeli Dhar c Rolls b Pullar 3 (127 for 4)
Feathered outside edge through after pushing at a straight one

Amita Sharma c Mason b Pullar 3 (143 for 5)
Spooned easy catch to mid-off

Hemlata Kala c Milliken b Pullar 18 (182 for 6)
Hit high to backward point for a good catch

New Zealand

Aimee Mason run out (Jain) 0 (1 for 0)
Removed by direct hit after chancing a risky run

Rolls b A Sharma 8 (13 for 2)
Given no chance by inch-perfect yorker which set middle stump cartwheeling

Maia Lewis st Jain b Al Khader 13 (33 for 3)
Left inches out of crease after quick glove-work behind the stumps

Haidee Tiffen c Dhar b Al Khader 11 (37 for 4)
Sent tame edge to first slip

Sara McGlashan st Jain b David 23 (98 for 5)
Flapped and missed at a bamboozling delivery

Helen Watson c & b Al Khader 14 (126 for 6)
Looped the ball back to the bowler

Nicola Browne lbw A Sharma 2 (129 for 7)
Trapped plumb by straight one

Rachel Pullar c & b A Sharma 14 (153 for 8)
Blinding two-handed return catch, scooped low

Louise Milliken st Jain b David 2 (159 for 9)
Missed one which moved away: Jain's quick glovework did the rest

Rebecca Steele b Goswami (164)
Clean bowled by straight one and threw her bat in a huff

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