Indian women became a bundle of nerves in a pressure situation, allowing world champions Australia to score a last ball win and set up a title clash against New Zealand in the quadrangular limited overs tournament in Chennai on Saturday.
Electing to bat, India made 230 for nine in their 50 overs. They managed to keep the Aussies under check till the last two overs. Eleven runs were needed off 12 balls, seven in the last over and a run off the last ball.
In the 49th over, the unbeaten Aussie pair of Cathryn Fitzpatrick (31) and Jodie Purves (11) scored four singles, each of which could have resulted in a run out. But Hemlata Kala (on 3 occasions) and Mithali Raj threw the ball to the wrong ends.
The Aussies took a single of the last ball to make 231 for six. They now have 18 points from five round robin matches in two stages. India finished with 13 points from five outings.
New Zealand had no difficulty in disposing of England by 27 runs. The Kiwis have kept a clean slate, winning all their matches so far for an aggregate of 21 points.
Put into bat, the Kiwis made 267 for nine in 50 overs with good knocks from Susie Bates (48) and Aimee Mason (48).
England, who were tottering at 82 for 6, were helped by a 49-run stand between Charlotte Edwards (42) and Lynsey Askew (68) and another 73-run stand for the ninth wicket between Askey and Isa Guha (26).
But Lousie Milliken (4 for 42) and Sophie Devine (3 for 38) denied them victory as England were bowled out for 240 in 45.2 overs.
Hosts India will take on England for the third-fourth place play-off on Monday.
