India clinch victory over New Zealand to qualify for semi-finals

Shafali Verma impressed once again in a battle of two teenagers, as Amelia Kerr almost saw her side over the line with a late cameo

• Scorecard

India became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Women’s T20 World Cup after narrowly seeing off New Zealand in a thriller at Junction Oval.

Shafali Verma, the 16-year-old who has impressed in each of her side’s three games at the top of the order, starred once again, striking 46 off just 34 deliveries in a three-run victory.

It was another teenager, 19-year-old Amelia Kerr, who almost swept the White Ferns over the line in reply, but Harmanpreet Kaur’s side held their nerve in the final over to seal a crucial win.

After opting to field at the toss, New Zealand soon found themselves under the pump, with Verma and Smriti Mandhana starting fast. Against the teenager, so brutal on any width or length, New Zealand’s bowlers looked to bowl shorter. Yet still, she managed to serve up a response.

Mandhana fell early, bowled by Lea Tahuhu, but there followed a 51-run partnership shared between Verma and Taniya Bhatia, the wicketkeeper promoted up the order as India looked to add depth to a middle order hugely reliant on its top four. Once Bhatia was dismissed, the innings then fell away somewhat, nonetheless.

Bhatia and Jemimah Rodrigues were both seen off by Rosemary Mair, while Kaur’s disappointing personal tournament continued as she chipped back to Leigh Kasperek for just a single. Verma, who had forced Anna Peterson out of the attack and hit three sixes in her knock, soon followed.

^{Katey Martin did her best to drag New Zealand back into the contest}

Late cameos from Radha Yadav and Shikha Pandey would prove crucial, taking India to an ultimately competitive total.

In response, New Zealand’s much-feted top three failed to fire. Rachel Priest briefly threatened in the powerplay before falling for 12, while Suzie Bates made six. When Sophie Devine fell for an uncharacteristically slow 21-ball 14, her side was 34 for 3 after eight overs.

That they came so close to overhauling India’s total would be the result of a middle order counterattack – a display that will fill Devine with confidence, even in defeat. Maddy Green added 24, while Katey Martin struck 25.

But it was Kerr, who already holds an unbeaten 232 in an ODI against Ireland, who almost squeezed her team home. In partnership with Hayley Jensen, Kerr made 34 off just 19 balls and was left requiring five off the final delivery of the match. Shikha Pandey nailed her yorker, however, leaving New Zealand four runs short of forcing a Super Over.

While India have now confirmed their semi-final berth, New Zealand’s clash with Australia on Monday could now become vital.

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