India and Australia maintained their perfect records after defeating Sri Lanka and Pakistan respectively while England got the better of South Africa in the ICC Women’s World Cup on Wednesday.
For India, it was the third-wicket partnership between Deepti Sharma (78) and Mithali Raj (53) that set up the victory. The duo put on 118 runs as India reached 232-8 in their 50 overs.
In reply, Dilani Manodara top-scored for Sri Lanka with 61, but it wasn’t enough as they lost by 16 runs in the end.
Jhulan Goswami and Poonam Yadav were the most successful bowlers for India, with both taking two wickets each.
In the match at Leicester, Ellyse Perry (66), Elyse Villani (59), and Alyssa Healy (63*) guided Australia to 290-8 in their 50 overs against Pakistan.
Chasing 291, Pakistan were never really in the game as they lost wickets at regular intervals. They were eventually bowled out for 131 off the final delivery of the innings with Australia’s Kristen Beams and Ashleigh Gardner picking up three wickets each and Jess Jonassen bowling an incredible six maidens in 10 overs.
Sana Mir put up a fighting all-round performance for Pakistan, taking three wickets before scoring 45 with the bat.
At Bristol, England’s Tamsin Beaumont (148) and Sarah Taylor (147) recorded the highest-ever partnership across all editions of the Women’s World Cup as they put on 275 runs for the second wicket against South Africa.
Beaumont and Taylor’s partnership helped the hosts to a score of 373-5 in their 50 overs.
On the back of half-centuries from Lizelle Lee (72), Laura Wolfvaardt (67) and Chloe Tryon (54), South Africa managed 305-9 in their 50 overs, losing by 68 runs.
A total of 678 runs were scored in the match, a record in women’s ODIs.