Cricket: White Ferns eye World Cup revenge

White Ferns power hitter Suzie Bates is averaging 62.5 at the women's Twenty20 World Cup in England. Photo / Getty Images

Three months on from their World Cup agony, coach Gary Stead has declared his White Ferns cricketers a tougher all-round unit for their world Twenty20 women's semifinal against India early tomorrow (12am NZT).

Having breezed through group play in the England tournament, the Ferns can book the first spot in Sunday night's final with victory over India at Trent Bridge.

Tournament favourites England then face Australia 24 hours later for the other berth in the decider at Lord's, the curtainraiser to the men's final.

New Zealand fell at the final hurdle against a more polished England in the 50-over World Cup final in Sydney in March, after they eliminated Australia and India.

Pained by that defeat, and under new captain Aimee Watkins - taking over from the retired Haidee Tiffen - they hit the ground running in England in the past week.

They dispatched Australia by nine wickets, West Indies by 52 runs, and South Africa by six wickets to top pool A. India's only defeat in pool B was by 10 wickets, against tournament favourites England.

As rain cut short his side's final training in Nottingham, Stead said the improvements from the World Cup were noticeable.

"It's a different competition and we've very rarely talked about the World Cup," Stead said.

"We've been strong in this form of the game and we're going as well as I'd hoped. There are some really good power options with our batting, but we've bowled particularly well. That's been the main difference between the World Cup and here."

Wellington left-arm seamer Sian Ruck, named player of the match after taking three for 12 against Australia, added a new dimension to the attack, the coach said.

"She's provided a point of difference, and the bowling unit as a whole is in better form.

"(Spinners) Lucy Doolan and Aimee Watkins are bowling much better and Kate Pulford has been outstanding, easily the fastest bowler here."

Stead reported a fully fit squad of 14 to choose from for the semifinal.

Rather than the dry, turning pitch that confronted the Black Caps in their tournament exit against Sri Lanka at Trent Bridge yesterday, Stead expected a fresh surface tomorrow.

That would favour his side, with India packed with quality spin bowlers who'd caused the New Zealand batters problems in the past.

"India are a really disciplined bowling unit and they've got some good seamers as well as spinners. We have played their spin bowlers a lot better (in a warmup game)."

New Zealand's top-three batters Suzie Bates, Doolan and Watkins have done the job, with power hitter Bates averaging 62.5 and Watkins 54.5, including a whirlwind unbeaten 73 against Australia.

If they topple India, Stead insisted he had no preference for a finals opponent, but felt Australia could give the in-form hosts a fright.

"It would be nice if we can play well and win our semi, then drive to London and go to The Oval and watch who we're going to be playing.

"I don't think England are a formality to make the final. Australia will give them a tough time."

- NZPA