TAUNTON, England (CMC) – New Zealand Women and India Women completed contrasting victories yesterday to secure their places in the semi-finals of the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup.

New Zealand stormed into the Final Four with a convincing six-wicket victory over South Africa Women, and India limped into the semis following a hard-earned five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka Women in a low-scoring affair in the latest matches at the Somerset County Ground.

Chasing 125 for victory from their allocation of 20 overs, New Zealand Women reached their target with 11 balls to spare.

New Zealand Women’s captain Aimee Watkins led consistent batting down the order with 35 from 28 balls.

Nicola Browne supported with 24 not out and Suzie Bates also got 24 to help the White Ferns remain unbeaten, and romp to their third straight victory.

Shabnin Ismail was South Africa’s most successful bowler with two wickets for 26 runs from four overs.

South Africa, sent in to bat, had been tottering on 30 for three before they were revived by a stand of 91 for the fourth wicket between Cri-zelda Brits and Suzie Benade.

Brits hit five fours in the top score of 57 from 51 balls, and Benade struck the same number of boundaries in 44 from 46 balls.

Saskia Bullen led New Zealand’s bowling with two for 20 from her four overs.

Later, India Women successfully chased a modest 95 for victory, and hit the jackpot with seven balls to spare in a match reduced to 18 overs-a-side.

The Indian Women stumbled to 36 for three before Mithali Raj with 32 not out and Poonam Raut with 30 put them back on course for victory.

Earlier, Rumeli Dhar had starred with the ball, taking two for four from her allotted four overs and Gooher Sultana nabbed two for 22 from four overs, as Sri Lanka Women were restricted to 94 for six from their allocated 18 overs.

The Sri Lanka Women owed their final total to a knock of 24 not out from Deepika Rasangika, after they had crumbled to 55 for five.