Cricket: White Ferns beat India in World Cup

The New Zealand women's cricket team pulled off a 16-run victory over India in their World Cup cricket match in South Africa overnight.

Chasing 184, India were choked by an excellent bowling spell from Louise Milliken who took a career best five for 25 from 10 overs, as India ground their way to 168 for nine.

Milliken rocked India early in their run chase removing the openers as India slumped to 10 for two at the Technikon Oval in Pretoria.

A 91-run partnership for the third wicket between Anjum Chopra and Mithali Raj kept India in the hunt before Milliken struck again removing Chopra leg before wicket for 48.

Once Raj was dismissed for 52 giving Rachel Pullar her only wicket, India began to crumble with the last six wickets falling for 23 runs.

Besides Milliken's great return Pullar proved extremely miserly with one for 15 from 10 overs.

The White Ferns innings started solidly until Maia Lewis was dismissed for five, but Aimee Mason and Rebecca Rolls steadied the ship with 36 and 23 respectively before Sara McGlashan chipped in with 57 from 73 balls to help them post a defendable total.

The win leaves the White Ferns in joint third place on 21 points, ahead of India on run rate difference with two games remaining.

To confirm their semifinal place the White Ferns would have to win one of their last two matches against either England or South Africa.

They face England, who currently lie in second place on 22 points tomorrow.

New Zealand
M Lewis c Jain b Sharma 5
A Mason lbw b David 36
R Rolls st Jain b Al Khader 23
H Tiffen b David 8
S McGlashan st Jain b David 57
M Fahey b Al Khader 13
N Browne c Jain b Al Khader 1
H Watson c Jain b David 9
R Pullar c & b David 16
A Corbin not out 6
Extras (2lb, 3nb, 5w) 10
Total (for 9 wkts, 50 overs) 184
Fall: 12, 59, 75, 86, 113, 117, 135, 167, 184
Bowling: J Goswami 9-2-41-0 (2w), A Sharma 6-1-30-1, R Dhar 5-1- 19-0 (1nb, 2w), N Khader 10-0-44-3 (2nb, 1w), N David 10-3- 32- 5, D Marathe 10-0-16-0

India
A Jain c Lewis b Milliken 1
J Sharma c Mason b Milliken 0
A Chopra lbw b Milliken 48
M Raj c Milliken b Pullar 52
R Dhar lbw b Browne 17
H Kala not out 17
A Sharma run out 0
J Goswami c Browne b Milliken 5
N David b Browne 1
D Marathe c Lewis b Milliken 1
N Al Khader not out 3
Extras (1b, 7lb, 15w) 23
Total (for 9 wkts, 50 overs) 168
Fall: 1, 10, 101, 136, 143, 145, 156, 159, 162
Bowling: L Milliken 10-4-25-5 (2w), R Pullar 10-3-15-1 (1w), N Browne 10-0-33-2 (3w), H Watson 10-0-46-0 (2w), A Corbin 6-0-21- 0 (4w), A Mason 4-0-20-0 (3w)

- NZPA