Charlotte powers England to semis

SAS NAGAR, Dec 21: Charlotte Edwards’ pyrotechnics were all that defending champions England needed to breeze past a meek Sri Lankan challenge and make it to the semis of the sixth Hero Honda Women’s World Cup cricket championship by virtue of their nine-wicket win here at the picturesque Punjab Cricket Association Stadium today.

The dullness in the quality of cricket on view was a perfect match to a cold and a grey day today. The Lankans’ highest total of the championship 104 could not save their exit from the championship as England coasted through to the target in 22.1 overs, losing only Helen Plimmer’s wicket in the process.

After winning the toss, the Lankans began disastrously. Two strikes each by Clare Taylor and Melissa Reynolds reduced them to a sorry 47 for 5. England now travel to Chennai for their semifinal encounter on December 26.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 104 all out in 43.2 overs (H Fernando 14, Vanessa Bowen 38; Clare Taylor 2-17, Melissa Reynard 2-10, Charlotte Edwards 3-21) lost to England 105-1 in 22.1 overs (Charlotte Edwards 57 n.o., Jane Brittin 19 n.o) by nine wickets.