KEY POINTS:
New Zealand assured themselves of a place in the quadrangular women's cricket tournament final in Chennai with a commanding 91-run win over hosts India overnight (NZ time).
Boosted by a maiden century to teenage opener Suzie Bates, the White Ferns reached 272 for seven and bowled India out for 181.
New Zealand opening bowler Helen Watson had the hosts on the back foot from the start of their chase, conceding just 17 runs from 10 unchanged overs.
Aimee Mason took three for 36 from her 10 overs, Sarah Burke two for 18 from eight and Nicola Browne two for 27 from nine.
Bates dominated the New Zealand innings with 122 off 134 balls, featuring 11 fours, getting good support from wicketkeeper Rebbeca Rolls, who struck a rapid 58 at better than a run a ball.
Otago opener Bates, 19, had only gone past 50 once in her previous eight one-day internationals, reaching 69.
After being asked to bat first the New Zealand innings was founded on a 101-run second innings partnership between she and captain Haidee Tiffen (34) followed by a 104-run stand with Rolls off 17 overs.
Sara McGlashan chimed in with a useful 24 off 17 balls at the death.
Indian opening bowlers Jhulan Goswami and Rumeli Dhar were at their best, taking two for 43 and one for 28 from their 10 overs respectively.
India blamed their poor fielding for the loss.
A glut of missed run-out chances and misfields in the outfield cost them dearly.
Indian captain Mithali Raj said their fielding in the entire tournament was disappointing.
"There were a lot of chances in the initial overs and if we had got even one hit at the wicket, we would have had New Zealand in a spot," Raj said.
Tiffen was dropped at gully when she was on six, and went on to feature in a century partnership with Bates.
New Zealand have been impressive in their running between the wickets, diving in the outfield and aiming at the stumps.
"The girls are willing to throw themselves around to save runs and fortunately no-one has got injured in doing so," Tiffen said.
"This keeps the confidence up and we keep trying."
Tiffen added that after New Zealand's loss to Australia, their only defeat in five games, the team had sat down to work out where they were going wrong.
"We had to make sure that we'd get some solid partnerships. We had a slow start though Jhulan Goswami and Rumeli Dhar bowled well. But I am very proud of Bates and the rest of the girls for coming back after the defeat so well."
Bates was delighted with her century.
"It was extremely hot to start out with and is nowhere near the temperatures in New Zealand right now," she said.
Bates suffered cramps towards the end of her innings but decided to carry on after she took liquid.
New Zealand suffered their only loss to Australia yesterday (NZT), who beat England by six wickets overnight.
New Zealand's final round-robin game is against England on Saturday, with the tournament final scheduled for Monday.
- NZPA
