CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Century-maker
Suzie Bates produced a milestone innings as New Zealand beat Pakistan by 71
runs in the Women’s World Cup in Christchurch on Saturday.
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It was the final match of the tournament for both
sides, and although
New Zealand hold a mathematical chance of making the
semi-finals, captain Sophie Devine said that was most unlikely and it was a
“bittersweet” win to bow out on.
“Absolutely, we’re gutted that we’re not moving
forward in this tournament and I want to wish those teams that do manage to go
through all the best,” she said.
The tournament hosts posted 266 for eight with Bates
scoring 126 before
Hannah Rowe took five for 55 to restrict Pakistan to 194 for
nine.
It lifted New Zealand to six points, equal with
fourth-placed
England and India who each have a superior run rate and a game in
hand which sees them both threaten to overtake third-placed West Indies -- who
are one point ahead but have completed their matches.
At a crowded Hagley Oval, on New Zealand’s first day
without COVID-enforced outdoor spectator restrictions, Bates contributed nearly
half the New Zealand total and along the way became only the fourth player in
women’s cricket to reach 5,000 ODI runs.
Bates also became the first person to score a
century in four consecutive
World Cup tournaments but believed her
player-of-the-match award should have gone to Rowe.
“I just really wanted to take the game deep and make
sure we finished off the 50 overs and got a good score on the board,” she said.
“It’s a nice
record to have but I thought Hannah Rowe, I could share this player of the
match with because she bowled outstandingly.”
Bates was given out lbw on 17 and deliberated on the
dismissal until the final second before seeking a review which confirmed the
ball was missing leg-stump.
When the opener was eventually dismissed, bowled by
Nashra Sandhu in the 43rd over, she received a standing ovation as she walked
from the field and New Zealand were well placed at 211 for five with more than
seven overs remaining.
But instead of New Zealand pushing up the run rate,
Pakistan took the initiative with four wickets for 20 runs before
Katey Martin and Frankie Mackay plundered 32 off the final two overs.
Martin finished unbeaten on 30 with 22 of her runs
coming off eight deliveries in the final flurry.
The star performer with the ball for Pakistan was Nida Dar,
with the spinner taking three for 39 from her 10 overs.
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