WWC - England Crash ... The Little Lions Roar

Thirush Kamini 100
v the West Indies

Those who still doubt the entertainment value of women's cricket have had a serious dent in their arguments that it's a game which lack the skill and excitement of the men's game and that the top four dominate so completely that results are predictable.

The first four games of the 2013 World Cup have shattered those ideas. After Kamini and Raut added 175 for the first wicket in India's powerful opening day win over the West Indies, the second day provided lots of class with the bat and ball and an outstanding upset.

England, the defending champions and considered runaway favourites to retain the title, were beaten handsomely when Dilana Manodara sent the last ball of the match into the crowd at midwicket. Both sides had collapses: England at the top of the order and Sri Lanka in the middle but it was the Sri Lankans, with no form or record of recovery who caused the shock. After starting with a century opening stand Charmari Attapatu and Yasoda Mendis, England asserted their will over the middle order and five wickets fell for 53 runs in 15 overs and the result looked to be following the script.

Kaushayla's 56 surprised England

Enter Eshani Kaushayla, who smashed three sixes in her 41 ball half century before being run out in a last over which a run out, a dropped catch and two sixes, including Manodara last ball winning smote.

Sri Lanka have never beaten one of the top four and no side has chased this many and won before. Given the manner in which sides qualify for the final, this unexpected loss for England is a massive blow to their campaign. 238 should have been enough but with Sarah Taylor sitting this one out, rotation takes another body blow.

The Australians won their first game comfortably against Pakistan at Cuttack. It was their bowling which was again their strength, strangling Pakistan who were set only a moderate target after the best an Australian could muster was opener Rachel Haynes 39. All of the bowlers were impressive but Sarah Coyte with 3-20 from ten and Lisa Sthalekar 2-19 off nine were the best. The batting will need to be better.

Devine blasted
South Africa

New Zealand gave South Africa an absolute towelling at the Driems Ground in Tangi, making 5-321, with 102 coming from the last eight overs. Coming in at a precarious 2-27, Sophie Devine, a dual international in hockey and cricket, posted her first international century with 145 from just 131 balls - a total which included 13 fours and 6 sixes. If it's power you are looking for, look no further. Opener Suzie Bates set the tone with 73 from 91 and then Sara McGlashan and Nicola Brown (40 from 20) finished it off. South Africa were never in the hunt, with Morna Neilsen (3-34) taking out the middle order and Sian Ruck (4-31) cleaning up the tail.

England's loss and New Zealand's powerful win have put a fresh spin on this tournament, especially as run rates may decide the final places after the Super Six, second phase of the event. It yet be early days but a very dark one for England. Famous for choking under pressure, the loss to Sri Lanka no removes the one mistake most champions factor in. From here, their cricket has to be perfect and their one flaw has always been the way they play under pressure.