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Showing posts from July 16, 2017

MATCH REPORT: India v New Zealand

It very nearly was the perfect game. Like coal spontaneously igniting when the conditions are just right, India rekindled their fading World Cup campaign with all three departments coming together. They beat New Zealand by 186 runs, and reached the semi-final of a ICC global event for the first time since 2010. It began with the flip of the coin. In England, they say ‘look up and then look down’. But even that advice left one confused. Above, it was overcast, but the pitch itself was hard and reflected runs. Fortunately, Kiwi skipper Suzie Bates opted to field. And it seemed a good decision when both Indian openers were sent back with just 21 on the board. But that was about all that went wrong for India. Harmanpreet Kaur, batting at No. 4, had faced an average of just 30 balls per game in the six matches before this. So she took her time early, facing 28 dot balls for three runs against fast bowler Hannah Rowe. But with the patience of a big cat stalking its prey, she waited for