Indian girls made history with moving into WorldCup Cricket Final.
They will make another history when they will be spanked by Australi in FInal similar to their male counterparts in Men’s Worldcup 2003.
India reach their first World Cup final
The Bulletin by Jenny Thompson
April 7, 2005
India romped into their first World Cup final with a convincing 40-run win against the holders New Zealand. They will now face Australia in a repeat of the men’s, but will be hoping for a different outcome on Sunday. For now, though, they are celebrating their historic victory, which was set up by Mithali Raj’s unbeaten 91. Anjum Chopra also contributed 44 as India blistered their way to a towering total of 204 for 6 that proved more than enough.
Maia Lewis sent India in, expecting a traditional collapse from India’s sometimes self-destructive batsmen. It never came. After losing two early wickets, Chopra and Raj steadied the ship and added 66 for the third wicket. The captain Raj was in imperious form with some silky strokes and her strong leadership was just what was needed. She and Chopra showed their initiative in going over the top, although such enterprise nearly cost Chopra early when on 21 - Rachel Pullar spilled a simple chance at long-on, one of several missed opportunities in a poor display from New Zealand.
Pullar atoned with four wickets, but overall New Zealand’s outfielding was woeful. They were careless in the field, turning singles into fours and spilling chances, while India took theirs to post a decent total – and nothing could halt Raj’s charge. Chopra eventually tried one aerial shot too far - Nicola Browne ignored the overbearing mood to hold a magnificent diving catch at mid-off – but Raj continued undaunted as she led India to their highest total in the tournament to date.
New Zealand’s reply got off to a dreadful start as they lost two quick wickets for 13 runs. Aimee Mason was the first to fall to a direct hit from Jaya Sharma, then Amita Sharma removed Rebecca Rolls’ middle stump with a perfect yorker. They never recovered from there. But the next casualty was Indian: Raj hobbled off after spraining her right knee sliding at mid-off. She now has an anxious wait to see if she can recover in time for Sunday, although she has vowed to play through whatever pain she is suffering.
But today the pain was New Zealand’s. Nooshin Al Khader was the next to strike, picking up two wickets in her first over to remove Maia Lewis and Haidee Tiffen and place New Zealand in firm trouble. Maria Fahey began to rebuild and she went on to an unbeaten 73, but hers was a lone stand and the result was never in doubt, as India’s bowlers completed the task and the mountain proved unconquerable.
buhat baRRee charaan cheez hay tu bhai