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WWC17 Today: India, White Ferns make statements

Everything you need to know from the opening day of the Women's World Cup in the UK

What you may have missed last night


England v India


Scorecard 

India fired an early warning message in the Women's World Cup after a clinical batting effort saw them defeat hosts England by 35 runs on the opening day of the tournament in Derby.

Thanks to a trio of terrific half-centuries from openers Smriti Mandhana (90) and Punam Raut (86), as well as skipper Mithali Raj (71), India piled up an imposing 3-281 for three in their 50 overs

While only reigning world champions Australia had previously made a success of chasing a bigger target in a women's one-day international, England just about kept themselves in the hunt and were still in with a chance thanks to Fran Wilson's maiden fifty at 6-229 in the 44th over.

But her departure for 81 - one of four run-outs in the innings - left the lower order of England with too much to do.

Three-times champions England, who've won the previous two World Cups staged in their own country, were eventually bowled out for 246.

New Zealand v Sri Lanka

Bates, Huddleston fire White Ferns to victory

Scorecard


White Ferns captain Suzie Bates' eighth one-day international century, plus a five-wicket haul for seamer Holly Huddleston, secured New Zealand a nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their opening match at Bristol.

Sri Lanka constructed a solid start after New Zealand skipper Bates won the toss and elected to bowl, building nicely to be 1-141 halfway through the 36th over.

But they lost momentum at a crucial time, surrendering five wickets in the next 38 balls for 15 runs, with Huddlestone the chief destroyer.

The medium pacer went on to collect 5-35 off her 10 overs, including the key wicket of opener Chamari Polgampola for 49. Lea Tahuhu, Sophie Devine and teenage leg-spinner Amelia Kerr also picked up a wicket apiece as Sri Lanka stumbled to 9-188 off their 50 overs.

Although the New Zealanders lost opener Rachel Priest in the sixth over, Bates and Amy Satterthwaite combined in an unbeaten 170-run partnership to wrap up the win with 12.2 overs to spare.

Bates' 106 came in just 109 balls and including 11 fours and a six, while Satterthwaite accumulated 78 off 103 balls.


The tweet of the day


Outrageous stuff from the India captain!


Stat of the day


After cooly dealing with the pressure of the Cup's opening day by reading a book while waiting to bat, the poised Mithali Raj casually set a new Women's ODI record.

The India captain's fluent knock of 71 was her seventh consecutive half-century in the format, eclipsing the record of six straight fifties jointly held by Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry, England batter Charlotte Edwards and former Southern Stars opener Lindsay Reeler.

Raj might well be taking a close look at the stats page in the Wisden Almanack before their next match against the Windies on Thursday, as she now has Javed Miandad's overall ODI record of nine straight 50s in sight.


Most consecutive ODI scores of 50+ (women's):


7: Mithali Raj (IND) Febraury 2017 - June 2017*

6: Ellyse Perry (AUS) Jan 2014 - July 2015

6: Charlotte Edwards (ENG) February 2013 - August 2013

6: Lindsay Reeler (AUS) January 1987 - November 1988


Most consecutive ODI scores of 50+ (men's): 


9: Javed Miandad (Pak) March 1987 - October 1987


The pic of the day 


India celebrating their win in style!

Image Id: FA5764C6973A456DB85CB0355E6AE60E Image Caption: India 'keeper Sushma Verma celebrates sub fielder Veda Krishnamurthy's match-sealing catch // Getty

The pic of the day (II)


Is there a better sight in cricket than a batter in their element at the crease with a floppy on?


Image Id: CE31AC9AD0AF4235A995C2035A991BBB Image Caption: Mithali Raj in full flight with her trusted floppy hat // Getty

What they said


India captain Mithali Raj:

"It was a brilliant opening partnership between Smriti and Punam.

"After I batted, I realised that the wicket didn't have much assistance for the bowlers, and that the spinners, in particular, will have to bowl in the right areas."

White Ferns captain Suzie Bates:

"In the lead up to this, I hadn't felt that great out in the middle and I just wanted to be patient and wait for the ball.

"There's a lot we can improve on; I thought Sri Lanka batted really well early on and whenever we gave them any width they put it away.

"But the way we came back with the ball was really pleasing to keep them below 200, then to get the target with just one wicket down will give us some momentum."

Australia's women


Ahead of their Cup opener on Monday (7.30 pm AEST), Australia batter Rachael Haynes says she isn't envious of national selectors with all 15 members of the squad seemingly in contention to take on the West Indies in Taunton.

"I'm feeling really positive about where I'm at and happy to be here, and if I get an opportunity I'll be ready to go," Haynes said.

"I'll see what happens throughout the competition. 

"The whole group is going really well, so no doubt whoever gets out on the park will do a good job."

If she isn't picked in that first XI to meet the Windies, the simple fact that a player of Haynes' caliber (she was the Southern Stars' leading run-scorer at the last edition of the World Cup) is available and ready to go whenever called upon will be a huge positive for the Australian selectors. 

"I'm glad (selecting the team) is not my job, that's for sure," she said.

What's up next?

Just the one match on Sunday, with Pakistan and South Africa to get their campaigns underway at Leicester's Grace Road.


Women's World Cup 2017 Guide


Australia World Cup squad: Sarah Aley, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell (vc), Nicole Bolton, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Meg Lanning (c), Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa, Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Squads: Every World Cup squad named so far

Australia's World Cup schedule


View the full tournament schedule here


Warm-up matches


June 20: Australia v South Africa, Oakham


June 22: Australia v Pakistan, Leicester



Tournament


June 26: Australia v West Indies, Taunton


June 29: Sri Lanka v Australia, Bristol


July 2: Australia v New Zealand, Bristol


July 5: Pakistan v Australia, Leicester


July 9: England vAustralia, Bristol


July 12: Australia v India, Bristol


July 15: South Africa v Australia, Taunton


July 18: First semi-final, Bristol


July 20: Second semi-final, Derby


July 23: Final, Lord's