The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have retained the Rose Bowl after today’s fifth and deciding match against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain in Wellington
With the series tied at 2-2, the match at Basin Reserve was abandoned without a ball being bowled. However the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars retained the trophy as reigning holders following last year’s 3-2 series win.
After losing the first two matches of the series, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars rebounded strongly in games three and four with strong batting performances setting up a pair of comfortable wins.
After a slow start, Shelley Nitschke, who was last week named Australia’s 2008 Women’s International Cricketer of the Year at the Allan Border Medal, led the series run scorers (144), while fellow all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar was the leading wicket taker (7).
A number of records were set during the series:
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have now held the Rose Bowl for nine consecutive series. New Zealand last won the Rose Bowl in 1999.
Attention now turns to Sunday’s Twenty20 Internationals at the SCG, when cricket fans will be served a double dose of trans-Tasman rivalry with a men’s and women’s double-header between Australia and New Zealand.
In a repeat of the concept successfully pioneered by Cricket Australia in early 2008 in Melbourne, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will play New Zealand before the men’s KFC Twenty20 International between the same nations.
The world’s first men’s and women’s Twenty20 International double-header was contested at the MCG in February 2008 when the Australian and English women’s teams played before Australia and India’s clash in a KFC Twenty20 International.
It will be the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ last official match before they defend their ICC Women’s World Cup crown in Sydney.
About the ICC Women’s World Cup
There are 22 days to go until the ICC Women’s World Cup. The tournament will be played from 7-22 March in Sydney, Newcastle, Bowral and Canberra.
The 25-match tournament features the top eight teams in women’s cricket with Australia the number one seed and defending champion.
Tickets to ICC Women’s World Cup matches start at just $5 and a tournament pass can get you into all matches for only $35. For further information on the ICC Women’s World Cup, visit www.cricket.com.au/wwctickets.
