Cricket: White Ferns through to semis

New Zealand booked a spot in the semifinals of the women's world Twenty20 cricket championship with a convincing six-wicket victory over South Africa at Taunton this morning (NZT) in their final group match.

The win ensured New Zealand ended the preliminary stage on top of Group A, having earlier beaten Australia and the West Indies.

A consistent batting display from New Zealand, coupled with a disciplined bowling effort ensured they were too good for the bottom-placed South Africans.

There was no single match-winning effort from New Zealand, instead, all of their batsmen contributed in near equal measure to help them ease past the target.

Put in to bat, South Africa were soon in a spot of bother at 30 for three before Crizelda Brits was joined at the crease by Susan Benade.

The duo put on a vital partnership of 91 runs, holding the South African innings together with sensible batting.

Benade departed for 44 in 46 balls, while Brits remained unbeaten on 57 to guide South Africa to a respectable 124 for 4.

Slow left-arm spinner Saskia Bullen, playing her second Twenty20 international, impressed with figures of two for 20 for New Zealand.

In reply, New Zealand lost opener Lucy Doolan with the score on 26, but the in-form Suzie Bates scored 24 to steady the ship.

Bates and Amy Satterthwaithe fell in quick succession, but contributions from Aimee Watkins, 35, and Nicola Browne, 24, ensured New Zealand coasted home by six wickets and almost two overs to spare.

In a Group B match, India sealed a semifinal spot after defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in a rain-affected match at Taunton.

Sri Lanka scored a modest 94 after the match was reduced to an 18-over contest.

India recovered from 33 for three to finish the match in their 17th over with five wickets to spare.

- NZPA