India Women lost to New Zealand Women by seven wickets in the warm-up match at Derby in England ahead of the ICC Women's World Cup, 2017. After bowling out the Mithali Raj-led team for 130, Rachel Priest (52 runs) powered the opponents to the target in 26.3 overs.
After India elected to bat, Erin Bermingham claimed Deepti Sharma to end the opening stand in the tenth over for 19 runs. Hannah Rowe followed up with the wicket of Smriti Mandhana which brought Mithali to the crease at 20 for two. With Punam Raut (33 off 65), the skipper took the team to 60 until Sophie Devine claimed the opener.
India then continued to lose wickets at quick intervals. Harmanpreet Kaur was sent back by Amelia Kerr while Rowe accounted for Veda Krishnamurthy to leave India on 77 for five. Two runs later, Mithali was sent back by Anna Peterson. Mona Meshram then worked to keep the innings afloat with the lower order. However, the NZ bowlers maintained a strangle hold on the innings and continued to strike at the other end.
Meshram remained unbeaten on 30 off 57 balls even as India were bowled out in 45.1 overs.
Chasing the 131-run target, captain Suzie Bates and Priest got the White Ferns off to a good start. They put together 72 runs until Poonam Yadav claimed Bates for 30. In her next over the spinner had Amy Satterthwaite stumped to leave NZ on 77 for two.
Priest then continued to close in on the target with Katey Martin until Ekta Bisht sent her back with the team on 105. The wicketkeeper-bat then took the White Ferns to the finish line with Devine.
