Kiwis seal series, beat India by 97 runs in fourth match

Christchurch, Mar 11 (UNI) Emily Drumm slammed 83 in her 100th ODI as the New Zealand eves beat India by 97 runs to seal the five-match series 3-1 at Lincoln's Bert Sutcliffe Oval today.

Opting to bat first, the White Ferns piled up a series high total of 272 for eight from their 50 overs, with Drumm celebratring her milestone with a 97-ball knock of 83 that included five hits to the fence, She put on a fifth-wicket stand of 97 with Maria Fahey (53), while captain Haidee Tiffen (53), Aimee Mason (30) and Rebecca Rolls (24) also chipped in for the cause.

Jhulan Goswami was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming three for 49.

The visitors began the chase on a positive note but losing both the openers in quick sucession put pressure on them.

Jaya Sharma(14) and skipper Mithali Raj (28) gifted their wickets going for non-existent runs and that triggered a batting collapse India could not recover from.

New Zealand owed it to the inspired spell by Sarah Tsukigawa who took two wickets for only 24 runs and then ran out Mithali.

India lost four wickets for 22 runs and slumped to 154 for eight from a rather comfortable 132 for four. Veteran Anjum Chopra (43) waged a lone battle, top-scoring for the side and the visitors were eventually bundled out for 175 with eight balls remaining.

The fifth and final match of the series is scheduled on Monday.

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