England book place in T20 final
England's women stormed into the ICC World Twenty20 final with a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand at the Premadasa Stadium.
England, the inaugural winners of this tournament against the White Ferns at Lord's three years ago, are through to their second final and will play either West Indies or Australia back at this venue on Sunday.
In pursuit of only 93 for eight after spinners Holly Colvin and Dani Wyatt had each taken two for 15, England were not unduly troubled to coast past their target.
Charlotte Edwards (33) put on 32 for the first wicket with Laura Marsh (11), before the latter fell to a neat tumbling catch at mid-off by Morna Neilsen off Sian Ruck.
Edwards herself was to go to another good catch by Sophie Devine at point, when leg-spinner Erin Bermingham found some extra turn which meant the England captain was not in control of a cut shot.
Sarah Taylor (21) had one moment of significant fortune, stumped on 18 only to be reprieved by a back-foot no-ball call against off-spinner Frances Mackay. She and Lydia Greenway (22) put on a partnership of 40 to take England to scores level until the left-hander reverse-swept to point just before the run chase was complete with almost three overs to spare.
New Zealand, put into bat, were immediately in trouble when Suzie Bates was run out for nought in the first over - setting off for an unwise single and not even in the frame when Greenway's throw came in after a diving stop.
Bates' opening partner Amy Satterthwaite stayed by contrast until the 15th over when her useful innings of 30 concluded with a flat hit to long-on, where Jenny Gunn took a low catch off slow left-armer Colvin.
Although Anya Shrubsole conceded 10 runs when she returned for the 18th over, England remained in control and Greenway's good outfield catch at deep midwicket saw off Nicola Browne (18) to end a spirited stand of 26 with Katey Martin (19) for the sixth wicket.
England could be confident already they had restricted their opponents sufficiently, and so it proved.
