Indian women score easy victory

Openers Karuna Jain and Jaya Sharma scored fluent half-centuries and medium pacer Amita Sharma grabbed four wickets for 16 runs as India scored an eight-wicket victory over England in the Quadrangular women's international limited-overs tournament in Chennai on Wednesday.

Put in to bat, England's four batswomen fell to Amita Sharma, who had a brilliant single spell of 10-3-16-4.

Priti Dimri claimed two wickets for 26 runes, while Jhulan Goswami and Sunetra Paranjpe claimed a wicket each.

For England, only Lydia Greenway resisted the Indian attack and remained unbeaten on 50 (6x4, 1x6) as the visitors were dismissed for 143 in 45.5 overs.

In reply, Karuna and Jaya put on a rollicking 126 runs for the opening wicket off 184 balls as India achieved the target, scoring 144 for 2 in 38.5 overs.

Karuna Jain was the first to go, caught by Jenny Gunn off Isa Guha for 51 (79 b 6x4), while Jaya Sharma scored 66 (109 balls, 8x4, 1x6) before being caught by Laura Newton off her own bowling.

In the other match, Australia defeated New Zealand by 49 runs.

Australia, batting first, scored 232 for 8 in 50 overs while the Kiwis were dismissed for 183 in 45 overs.

The easy victory gave India a bonus point. At the end of four matches they have 13 points, followed by New Zealand 12 and Australia 10.

England lost all their matches.