ICC Women's World Cup: England & New Zealand in a must-win tie

Defending champions England and runners-up New Zealand will lock horns in their do-or-die match of the Super Six stage for a place in the finals of the ICC Women's World Cup tomorrow.

However, the match could prove to be inconsequential if the second-placed West Indies stun table-toppers Australia in their day game tomorrow at the MIG ground here.

The 2009 World Cup finalists are tied at four points with England and the team that wins can harbour hopes of reaching the final by virtue of net run rate, provided Australia maintain their winning streak in the tournament.

England will try to be in the hunt and keep the ambition of its title defence alive, while New Zealand would be kicking itself for missing out against West Indies and throwing the last spot open.

"So now we have really opened this Super Six stage up, which has given England another sniff and West Indies are now in the hunt. It is going to come down to the last game and it is going to about some big matches," Suzie Bates had said

after their 48-run loss to West Indies yesterday.

"I guess that is what World Cups are about and unfortunately today's loss (against West Indies) has put us on the back foot. But we will get up. England we beat them in a warm-up match, (so) we will go in that match confidently."

England had lost a low-scoring tie against Australia by two runs but bounced back to chase the meager total of 78 against South Africa and the holders will rely heavily on

their skipper Charlotte Edwards to fire with the bat.

The 33-year-old seasoned pro has had a mixed bag so far, having scored a century (109) against India in a group league encounter and then failing to get into double figures against Australia and South Africa in the super six stage.

... contd.

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