Cricket: Two-from-two for White Ferns

New Zealand produced a more authoritative performance to beat Sri Lanka by 47 runs and make it two-from-two at the women's cricket Twenty20 world championship in the West Indies this morning (NZT).

Opener Suzie Bates again top-scored as the White Ferns reached an impressive 154 for seven before restricting Sri Lanka to 107 for eight at Warner Park in Basseterre.

The result assures New Zealand of a place in the semifinals and they can qualify first in group B if they beat winless Pakistan in their final preliminary game at the same venue on Tuesday.

West Indies and Australia have already advanced from group A with two wins, surprisingly eliminating winless defending champions England.

New Zealand improved on their 10-run defeat of India on Friday with comprehensive allround display, which began with a rollicking 50 off 43 balls from Bates.

She put on 54 for the first wicket with captain Aimee Watkins (20 off 21) and 34 for the second wicket with Sara McGlashan (31 off 23) to lay a strong foundation.

Elizabeth Perry and Nicola Browne both unleashed 12-ball innings of 19 and 20 respectively to add late impetus.

Spinners Lucy Doolan and Erin Bermingham were the pick of a tight New Zealand bowling effort.

Doolan took one for 16 and Bermingham two for 15 off their full complement as the Sri Lankans struggled to match the required run rate following the departure of opener Chamari Jayangani for 21 off 14 balls.

Today's other match saw Pakistan lose to India by nine wickets.

- NZPA