Indian women lose to New Zealand in warm-up game

Colombo: India`s batswomen came a cropper as the team suffered a four-wicket defeat to New Zealand in a warm-up game here today, ahead of the ICC Women`s World Twenty20.

Opting to bat, the Indian team was bundled out for 100 in 19.4 overs. The New Zealanders chased down the target in 18.1 overs for the loss of six wickets, despite left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht turning in an impressive performance at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground. Bisht picked up three wickets for a mere six runs in her three overs, but her effort was not enough to make up for the shoddy batting display by the Indians. Opener Amita Sharma top-scored for India with a 39-ball 32, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Jhulan Goswami scored 20 and 14 runs, respectively. Sharma along with Poonam Raut added 41 runs for the first wicket in six overs before the latter fell to left-arm medium pacer Sian Ruck for nine. Skipper Mithali Raj did not last long as she was shown the door by another left-armer, Morna Nielsen. The story was similar with others as well as only three players made it to the double digit. Skipper Suzie Bates led New Zealand`s riposte with a 39-ball 51 before retiring hurt. India are entering the tournament on the back of a hectic preparatory camp in Bangalore. India beat Ireland in a one-off Twenty20 International in June, but lost the two subsequent T20 Internationals against England. PTI