Kiwis beaten in Women's T20 cricket

Sri Lanka lost to South Africa by six wickets in the opening match of the Women's World Twenty20 in Galle after the hosts were skittled for 79, including five run-outs.

Susan Benade took 2 for 7 and Dane van Niekerk 2 for 9 while Dilani Manodara provided the only resistance with 24 off 35 balls. South African captain Trisha Chetty then made 33 as her team reached their target with 2.4 overs to spare.

In the other game in Galle yesterday, West Indies produced a surprise as they reduced New Zealand, finalists in the last two World T20s, to 117 for 9 (Shemaine Campbelle 32) before winning by seven wickets. West Indies were in trouble at 5 for 2 in reply but Stafanie Taylor (35) and Deandra Dottin (above) shared a third-wicket stand of 82, the latter hitting an unbeaten 58 off 42 balls, to ease them to victory.

England, winners of the inaugural tournament in 2009, begin their campaign against Pakistan today.