The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars set aside the disappointment of failing to qualify for the ICC Women’s World Cup final to dispatch tournament pacesetters England by eight wickets in a ruthless team performance at North Sydney Oval today.
As previously-unbeaten England crashed to its first World Cup defeat, the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars ensured it finished the Super Six phase in style with dominant all-round effort.
A cohesive bowling and fielding performance set up the win, with the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars bowling England out for 161 before chasing down the runs in 33.5 overs for the loss of just two wickets.
“The fact is that we knew before this game that we weren’t going to be in the final so we wanted to put in a good effort and I was really pleased with the girls. It was a fantastic team effort today,” Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars captain Karen Rolton said
“The bowling was sensational, the fielding backed it up with some great catches and the batting really topped it off.
“I’m pleased we’ve now beaten England twice in this World Cup (period). We’ve beaten them in this game and also in a practice match.
“It’s taken us six games (during the tournament) and two games in the warm-up up as well to put together a great team effort. I was really pleased with this effort so hopefully we can continue it on Saturday against India.
“We probably just haven’t clicked as early as we would have liked which is disappointing. Hopefully we can finish strongly and it will hold us in good stead for the Twenty20 world cup and when we tour England in the middle of the year.”
Australia’s batting was led by Shelley Nitschke (37 from 43 balls) and Leah Poulton (38 from 47). The pair blasted 11 fours and two sixes in a 79-run partnership for the first wicket – Australia’s highest opening stand of the tournament - before Rolton (41 not out from 55) and vice captain Alex Blackwell (38 from 58) mounted a relentless, unbeaten charge for the target.
After England captain Charlotte Edwards won the toss and elected to bat, Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars opening bowler Sarah Andrews set the tone early with the wickets of openers Caroline Atkins and Sarah Taylor in the fourth and eighth overs.
Andrews’ twin breakthroughs denied England the reliable start which has characterised much of its World Cup campaign and put its middle order under pressure.
Edwards then departed for 8 after Rene Farrell’s juggling return catch before Claire Taylor and Lydia Greenway produced a stabilising 60-run partnership to bring their team back into the match.
However Greenway’s dismissal in the 29th over was followed shortly after by the ultra-consistent Taylor for 47 as England lost 4-9 in six overs to drop to 5-110.
Taylor’s departure was the key moment of the innings with Nitschke combining with Jessica Cameron to dismiss the world’s number one-ranked batter.
Wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter and fittingly, the innings closed with Leah Poulton taking a spectacular diving catch from the bowling of Sarah Andrews.
Nitschke (2-14) and Andrews (3-35) were the pick of the Australian attack. Nitschke’s miserly spell and Andrews’ early contribution were the significant performances in an all-round effort.
In other matches today, New Zealand’s huge win over Pakistan ensured it moved through to the final to face England at North Sydney Oval on Sunday. The match was highlighted by Suzie Bates’ innings of 168 from 105 balls, the third-highest individual score in Women’s World Cup history.
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will meet India in the playoff for third place at Bankstown Oval on Saturday. Also on Saturday, West Indies will face Pakistan at Drummoyne Oval in the playoff for fifth place.
Matches on all days start and 10am and ticketing information can be found at www.cricket.com.au/wwctickets.
