Rain played spoiler on the first day of ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup warm-up matches in New Delhi, India, leaving just two winners amid widespread interruptions. England crushed hosts India, while India A edged out New Zealand—both on September 26, according to an ICC media release.
England’s skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt stole the show against India, smashing an unbeaten 122 off 105 balls before retiring to let others bat. Her knock powered England to a massive 339 for nine, a total India couldn’t chase down. Opener Emma Lamb added a solid 81 before Sree Charani caught and bowled her. Amy Jones and Heather Knight chipped in with scores above 30 each, setting up their bowlers for an easy defense.
India fought back with Jemimah Rodrigues top-scoring at 66, dismissed by Charlie Dean. Uma Chetry made 45 and Richa Ghosh 21, but England’s attack proved too much. Linsey Smith grabbed two wickets, and spinner Sophie Ecclestone wrapped up the lower order cheaply, sending Sneh Rana and Kranti Gaud packing for just three runs combined. England won by a whopping 152 runs in this key ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup prep clash.
Over in the other completed match, New Zealand posted 273 despite Izzy Gaze’s brilliant unbeaten century of 101 off 100 balls. She partnered with Jess Kerr’s 36 to rescue the innings after early losses of Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, and Amelia Kerr for only 17 runs total. Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, and Sophie Devine all scored over 20 to keep things competitive.
India A chased aggressively toward a rain-adjusted target of 274 and reached 226 for six when downpours hit. They secured a four-wicket win via the DLS method. Sayali Satghare shone with the ball, taking three for 45 in nine overs, including two early strikes. Sophie Devine struck back by bowling Vrinda Dinesh for a duck, but Shafali Verma blazed 70 in partnerships totaling 113 with Dhara Gujjar and Tejal Hasabnis.
New Zealand’s Jess Kerr and Amelia Kerr snared quick wickets—Hasabnis, Bith, and Tanusree Sarkar for zilch—but Minnu Mani (39 not out) and Mamatha Madiwala (56 not out) steadied the chase. Rain ended the drama, handing India A the victory in their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup warm-up.
The weather won outright in the other games. South Africa reached 45 for three in nine overs against Bangladesh before heavy rain forced abandonment. Marizanne Kapp led with 21 before Nahida Akter bowled her, and Tazmin Brits ended not out on 19 off 21 balls. Bangladesh’s Marufa Akter impressed, snaring two wickets with an economy of 2.00, including Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt for a golden duck and Annerie Dercksen for two.
Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan also fell to the rains, with the hosts at 33 for one. Opener Hasini Perera was unbeaten on 21, but captain Chamari Athapaththu fell for five, caught off Fatima Sana by Sadaf Shamas. Harshitha Samarawickrama managed just two off seven balls before the covers came on in Colombo.
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