Second defeat in row ends India's semis' chances

Bowlers let the Indian women cricket team down for the second consecutive time as it suffered a nine-wicket defeat against England in a Group A match to go out of semifinal contention in the Women's World Twenty20, in Galle on Saturday.

Electing to bat, India's batswomen put up a modest 116 for six with opener Poonam Raut (51) scoring a half-century and skipper Mithali Raj contributing 35 runs.

However, the total proved insufficient as the British batswomen overhauled the target with 17 balls to spare.

Openers Charlotte Edwards (50 not out) and Laura Marsh (39) laid the foundation for the easy win as they put on a 78-run stand.

Marsh had excelled with ball also, taking two Indian wickets.

Leg-break bowler Reema Malhotra had Marsh stumped in the 12th over but it was too late by then. Sarah Taylor (25 not out) joined her skipper Edwards and guided the side to win.

India had lost the first match to Australia by eight wickets and two defeats in a row have crushed their semifinal hopes.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the last-four stage and England and Australia, with two wins each, have sealed their berths for the next stage.

India will next play Pakistan in their last group match on October 1. Pakistan have also lost both the group matches.

The arch-rivals will now play for pride at the Galle International stadium.

Brief Scores: India: 116 for 6 in 20 overs. (Poonam Raut 51, Mithali Raj 35; Laura Marsh 2/22). England: 118/1 in 17.1 overs. (Charlotte Edwards 50 not out, Laura Marsh 39; Reema Malhotra 1/23).