Cricket: White Ferns reach semis

Suzie Bates made a quick-fire 16 off nine deliveries. Photo / Getty Images

The White Ferns have secured a berth in the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 with a dominant eight wicket win over host nation Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium.

Having won the toss and opted to bat first, Sri Lanka set the White Ferns a target of 90 to win. The visitors completed the chase in convincing fashion, bringing up victory with 4.2 overs to spare.

Captain Suzie Bates set the tone early when she made a quick-fire 16 off nine deliveries. Sri Lanka would have been glad to see the back of her when she was caught and bowled by Chamani Seneviratna, but their reprieve was short lived.

Sophie Devine joined opener Amy Satterthwaite at the crease and carried the White Ferns to 58 for one. The partnership was only broken when Devine was run-out on 23, but much of the damage had already been done.

Satterthwaite continued to look comfortable against the Sri Lankan bowling attack and was ably supported by number four batsman Frances Mackay. Together they made the final runs required for victory, with Satterthwaite unbeaten on 32 and Mackay 13.

Earlier the White Ferns had taken wickets at big moments throughout the Sri Lankan innings to have them all out after 17.4 overs.

The home side failed to produce a noteworthy partnership, but were assisted by a total of 19 extras from the White Ferns.

Four of the first five batsmen made it to double digits, but all failed to convert it into a significant score. With the top-order gone the momentum was firmly with the White Ferns and they swept through the rest of the line-up.

There were a number of good performances with the ball and the wickets were shared around, but Morna Nielsen's spell of two for ten off four overs represented the best of the White Fern's bowling figures.

The New Zealand side will now face either England or Australia in the first semi-final on October 4th.