Cricket: White Ferns spark

The New Zealand women's cricket team injected some life into the defence of their World Cup one-day crown in South Africa yesterday.

The White Ferns demolished Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Pretoria to follow an earlier loss to Australia and a washout result against the West Indies.

The outcome was beyond doubt from the early stages as Sri Lanka were reduced to 34 for five before being dismissed for 58.

A feature of the innings was the four catches by wicketkeeper Rebecca Rolls, who lifted her total of one-day international dismissals to more than 100.

Such a meagre total never challenged the New Zealanders, who knocked off the required runs in 18.4 overs.

New Zealand's next match is against Ireland starting in Pretoria tonight.