Purnima stars in Indian win

NEW DELHI, Dec 13: Purnima Chaudhary’s five-wicket world record on debut took India to a 61-run win over West Indies in a Group B match in the Hero Honda Women’s World Cup cricket at Nahar Singh Stadium in Faridabad. India made 145 for seven off 40 overs and bowled the Windies out for 83. Purnima was not the only heroine. Deepa Kulkarni, another debutant, was the other one. While seamer Purnima scalped five, left-arm spinner Deepa took two giving away 12 runs in five overs. Coach Theo Cuffy’s “strong words” on Friday had a definite effect on the Windies. They put the hosts in to bat and an inspired effort on field saw India cracking up at 49 for four.

However, a solid 68-run fifth wicket partnership between Anju Jain and Smitha Harikrishan eased the mid morning tension. Desiree Luke’s acrobatic direct hit at Purnima Rau’s stumps provided the desperately needed high-fives for Windies, but they slackened towards close and gave the Indian tail the right appetiser before lunch.

Indian wicket-keeper-cum-opener Anju saw four wickets fall before Smitha joined her. Smitha smashed four boundaries in her racy 34 before she holed out to Envis Wiiliams at mid-off.