Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars to face West Indies
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars have suffered their first loss of the ICC Women’s World Cup in their third and final Super Six match, going down by eight runs to the West Indies at MIG Stadium today.
The two teams will meet again on Sunday in the ICC Women’s World Cup match at the Cricket Club of India (CCI).
The West Indies won the toss and elected bat on a ground where they had previously had great success with the bat, having posted 368 against Sri Lanka in the group stage of the tournament. On this occasion they got off to a slow start and were into the fifth over when Megan Schutt (3-50) first struck. She claimed the wicket of opener Juliana Nero (1), who was caught behind by captain Jodie Fields. Schutt proved why she is one of the leading wicket-takers of the tournament, as she made light work of Shemaine Campbelle (0) and Shanel Daley (4). Seventeen-year-old Holly Ferling (3-27) continued her impressive form this tournament, claiming the key wickets of Natasha McLean (26), Stafanie Taylor (5) and Kyshona Knight (8). Erin Osborne (2-16), who took home the player-of-the-match award in her side’s previous win over Sri Lanka, again returned economical figures, which included the key wicket of power-batsman Deandra Dottin (60). Julie Hunter (1-22) and Lisa Sthalekar (1-24) also contributed to the wicket count as the Australian side had the West Indies all out for 164 after 47 overs.
Opener Rachael Haynes (21) was looking comfortable at the crease and was having no trouble finding the boundary as she hit four fours, before being caught out off the bowling of Shanel Daley (3-22) in the 12th over. Jess Cameron (39) added some vital runs early on as she built a 47-run partnership with Alex Blackwell (45) until she was bowled by Shaquana Quintyne (1-29). Blackwell was given out lbw off the bowling of Taylor (2-26) but finished as Australia’s top scorer for the match. Osborne (19) battled hard at the crease to get the remaining runs required for victory but the Australian side fell just short, finishing all out for 156 in the 49th over.
Dottin was awarded the player-of-the-match award for her knock of 60.
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will take on the West Indies in the ICC Women’s World Cup on Sunday 17 February. The match will be broadcast live in Australia on FOX SPORTS.
