Sunday 20th was playing day five of the Women's World Cup Qualifiers in Bangladesh, the last of the group matches, and saw four clear victories, only Bangladesh putting up much of a fight against the strong West Indies side. In Group A, South Africa won the toss and asked Zimbabwe to set a score. Openers Ashley Ndiraya and Sunikiwe Mpofu put on 34, but in the 14th over off spinner Sunette Loubser got to work. She had Ndiraya stumped for 22, bowled Thandowenkosi Mlili, had Mpofu caught for 13, Julia Chibhabha caught behind, and Zimbabwe were 41-4. Nyiki caught and bowled Christobel Chatonzwa, then Loubser caught and bowled Sharne Mayers to complete her Michelle (10-5-9-5) and reduce Zim to 49-6.
Nyathi battled to 21, and with Pellagia Mujaji put on 44 for the seventh wicket. Mujaji was unbeaten on 20 as Zimbabwe closed on 103-8. The Saffie openers tucked into the opposition bowling, reaching 106 without loss in 12 overs, Shandre Fritz on 69* and Trisha Chetty on 25*. South Africa were top of the group and qualify for the 2012 World Cup Finals; Zimbabwe were bottom.
The USA team have shown themselves great fighters, and occupied the crease for all but two balls of their fifty overs against the Sri Lanka bowlers. Unfortunately, they could score only 53 runs, 18 to Shebani Bhaskar and 16 to Ermintrude Extras. Off spinner Siriwardene took 3/9 and slow left-armer de Alwis 2/8. Trinholder Marshall did dismiss two Sri Lankans in her first three overs, but Weerakkody (22*) and Dolawatte (20*) saw Sri Lanka to victory in 18.5 overs and second place in Group A.
In Group B, leaders West Indies met hosts Bangladesh, and didn't have things all their own way. Juliana Nero was dismissed early on by Jahanara Alam, but then Stafanie Taylor and Shanel Daley put on 84 for the second wicket, when Taylor was caught behind for 62. Deandra Dottin made 17 with two sixes before also being caught behind by Yasmin Bolshakhi, also off Rumana Ahmed. Daley stayed on to be sixth out for 61, while Stacy-Ann King hit three sixes in 24 and Britney Cooper three fours in 26* as West Indies closed on 217-8. Rumana Ahmed took 2/37 and Ireland's destroyer, Khadiza Tul Kubra, 2/39.
The Bangladeshi reply was cautious, Shakira Selman taking two wickets, but they reached 67 in the 26th over when Farjan Hoque was caught for 16. When skipper Salma Khatun was stumped by Merissa Aguilleira off Taylor for 23 out of 81 the resistance was left mainly to Rumana Ahmed, unbeaten on 28 as Shanel Daley and Shaquana Quintyne worked their way through the Bangladesh lower order, all out for 137 in the 48th over. Selman took 2/16, Daley 2/17 and Quintyne 3/20. The Windies finish top of the group and qualify for the 2012 Women's World Cup finals.
In the other Group B match, Japanese skipper Ema Kuribayashi gave Pakistan an early jolt after they had decised to bat first. She ran out Marina Iqbal for 5, then had Qanita Jalil caught for 10 to leave Pakistan 33-2 in the 7th over. Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof added 76 for the third wicket, when the latter was run out for 35, but Nida Dar completed her century, eventually run out for 124, and a 22 ball 39 from Asmavia Iqbal took Pakistan to 272-9. Kuribayashi perservered for 2/31 off 9 overs.
Unfortunately, the Japanese ladies are the duck-callers of the tournament, bagging six more as only Marika Yamamoto and Ernestine Extras reached 10 out of 26 all out in 28 overs. The principal beneficiary was slow left-armer Sadia Yousef, who took 6/2 in 7 overs. Nida Dar nipped in at the end with 2/2. Pakistan finish second, and Japan bottom.
Tomorrow, Monday, is rest day. On Tuesday, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh play off for the third World Cup qualification slot, while Pakistan and Netherlands play off for the final slot. Also, Zimbabe and Japan do battle in the 9th/10th place play-off. Wednesday is another reserve/rest day, and on Thursday the play-offs for the top eight places begin, with Ireland probably facing Netherlands.
Cheers,
Stu.
www.studaultrey.com
