Suzie Bates provided the classic captain's knock as the New Zealand women's cricket team beat India by four wickets in their only warmup match ahead of the Women's Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

Chasing India's 100 all out, Bates smacked 51 off 39 balls before she retired as the White Ferns eased to 100 for six with 11 balls to spare at Colombo's Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground.

New Zealand's pursuit was hampered early by the dismissal of Amy Satterthwaite for four but Bates soon gave her side the momentum by striking four boundaries in succession.

She lost her next partner, Sophie Devine, for four, before forming a valuable partnership with Frances Mackay. The pair put on 45 for the third wicket before Bates was retired for 51 with the match well in hand.

Mackay also retired, having played a sensible innings of 21. A couple of late wickets fell before Sara McGlashan (13 not out) finished the match off, India's Ekta Bisht taking 3-6 off three overs.

Earlier, India had opted to bat first and raced to 39-0 after five overs before Sian Ruck made the crucial breakthrough.

India lost regular wickets from that point and their last five fell for just 11 runs as they were bowled out in 19.4 overs. Mackay was the pick of the White Ferns bowlers with 3-13 from three overs while Devine scalped two.

New Zealand open their World Cup on Wednesday against the West Indies in Galle.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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