Cricket: NZ women through to T20 semifinals

New Zealand are safely through to the semifinals of the women's world T20 championship after a comfortable win over Sri Lanka yesterday.

They sit top of group B, with their final game against bottom-placed Pakistan at St Kitts tomorrow. They will play either hosts the West Indies or Australia in their semifinal.

The West Indies, surprise eliminators of defending champions England, are lying second in group A and are New Zealand's likely opponents next Saturday in St Lucia.

New Zealand reached a solid 154 for seven, then restricted Sri Lanka to 107 for eight.

Opener Suzie Bates maintained her good form with 50 off 43 balls, while Sara McGlashan (31 off 23 balls) and Nicola Browne (20 off 12) chipped in usefully.

Sri Lanka lost wickets steadily, Erin Bermingham and Sophie Devine getting two apiece.