Cricket: Aussies continue winning run in women's World Cup

Australia scored their fifth successive win at the women's World Cup cricket tournament in Christchurch yesterday when they beat England by 54 runs.

In the day's other match, Sri Lanka downed the Netherlands by 26 runs.

Claire Taylor did well to knock the top off Australia's batting order, claiming three cheap wickets, but England were unable to contain the rest of the line-up.

Zoe Goss led Australia's revival to top-score with 49, while receiving solid support from Olivia Magno (32) and Therese McGregor (21 not out).

Australia reached 190 for seven off their 50 overs, then bundled England out for 136 in 47.3 overs.

Only Clare Taylor (45), Barbara Daniels (28) and captain Clare Connor (22) showed any resistance.

Australia remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament.

In a low scoring match against the Netherlands, Sri Lanka could muster only 139 after being bowled out in 47.1 overs, with captain Rasanjali Silva and Hiruka Fernando the only players to reach double figures. Silva top-scored with 53.

Tessa van der Gun shone with the ball for the Dutch, snapping up three wickets for 18 runs off just four overs.

The Netherlands also found batting difficult and were dismissed for 113 in 39.4 overs.

Today, India meet Ireland and New Zealand clash with South Africa in matches which could determine three of the semifinal placings.

On Saturday, New Zealand took a significant step towards reaching the last four with an impressive 74-run victory over India.

New Zealand totalled 224 for five, then restricted India to 150 for seven.

At the 35-over mark, New Zealand were 107 for two, but then Debbie Hockley (53) and Anna O'Leary (89) upped the tempo, and capped by a blistering 50 in 36 balls from Haidee Tiffen, 117 runs were added in the final 15 overs.

O'Leary and Tiffen, who added 98 for the fifth wicket in just 72 balls, pressured the Indian field with their aggressive running between the wickets and the visitors faltered.

- NZPA