Cricket: White Ferns have final spot within their grasp

Kate Pulford bats for New Zealand against India. Photo / Getty Images

Kate Pulford took another giant step from the international cricketing wilderness to inspire New Zealand to the brink of the women's World Cup final yesterday.

The Christchurch-based Northern Districts allrounder scooped her second player-of-the-match award in nine days as the White Ferns cruised past India by five wickets in their Super Six match at North Sydney Oval.

It lifted New Zealand to outright second on the points table, and victory over lowly Pakistan tomorrow will ensure their spot in Sunday's final against unbeaten England.

Pulford, the four-wicket star of New Zealand's victory over Australia, took two for 38 yesterday but made her biggest impact with the willow, blazing 71 off 88 balls including 10 fours to chase down India's 207.

With Suzie Bates anchoring the second half with 47 not out, New Zealand won with 14 balls to spare to avenge their 2005 World Cup semifinal defeat to the same opponents.

"It's always nice to contribute and I'm just so proud we're through to the next game and we're still alive, and hopefully on our way to the final," Pulford said.

Pulford, 28, debuted in 1998-99 but began a five-year international hiatus in 2003 as she came to terms with her mother's death and focused on her career.

A chartered accountant, Pulford never dreamed she'd be playing a World Cup when she took a job in October as Solid Energy's strategic business analyst in Christchurch.

But after a dominant domestic season, a shoulder-tap from coach Gary Stead to check her international status changed Pulford's summer. Yesterday was just her 37th one-day international.

Both teams were yesterday chasing a finals spot after Australia stumbled to their second defeat, against India, on Saturday.

- NZPA