Nightmare for cricketers

Nightmare for cricketers

The New Zealand women’s cricketers had a day to forget when they ran into England in the quarter-finals.

The New Zealanders were restricted to a meagre 71-9 in their 20 overs. Maddy Green reached 19 and the only other player to reach double figures was tailender Hannah Rowe, with 10 not out.

Not surprisingly England had no problem knocking off the runs and won in the 11th over for the loss of only three wickets. For England, Alice Capsey made 23 which, amazingly, was the highest score in the match.

Amelia Kerr took 2-27 for New Zealand.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine understandably struggled to explain what had happened.

“That’s cricket,” she said. “We were well below par. You have days like that, despite all your planning and preparation.

“We need to put that behind us and focus on our semi-final with Australia now.”

Devine said the pressure would all be on Australia.

“They were the heavy favourites coming into this event. Many people didn’t even think we would make the semi-finals. We need to take it to them.”