Southgate, July 5: Jhulan Goswami posted career-best bowling figures of six for 31 but couldn’t prevent India from suffering yet another defeat in the Women’s Quadrangular Series against New Zealand. The Indians struggled to chase down a score of 201 crashing to a 39-run defeat.

For New Zealand, Lucy Doolan scored a superb half-century to take the team to 201 for eight wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. The Kiwi women were being captained by Suzie Bates in the absence of regular captain Aimee Watkins who had been ruled out for this game owing to an ankle injury.

Opener Doolan struck 76 off 125 balls on a challenging batting pitch and was complemented by Bates who hit 34. Janet Brehaut made an unbeaten 23.

India’s chase couldn't gather momentum thanks to some outstanding fielding by New Zealand who effected three run outs including Harmanpreet Kaur for 33 and Poonam Raut for 26. Nicola Browne was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, posting tidy figures of two for 39. That effort kept India down to 162 for nine at the end of their allotted 50 overs.

The two teams meet again in the third place playoff on 7 July. The final will be contested by Australia and England on the same day.