Australia v England : World Series

Match Report  

IIT  Chemplast Ground

England women suffered their third successive defeat in today’s game against Australia in the ICC Quadrangular Series in India , despite a massive 113 from Claire Taylor.

Having won the toss captain Charlotte Edwards decided to bat first on a wicket that was already showing some cracks, in an attempt to get the better of the pitch. However the Australian opening bowlers got some movement with the new ball off the seam and Clea Smith clean-bowled both Laura Newton (4) and Caroline Atkins (11) in the first ten overs, leaving England on 20-2.

Things got worse and England soon found themselves 37-4, but through a brave innings from Taylor , they battled back to reach 216-7 from their fifty overs. Her century, the first on Indian soil for the prolific batsman, included one six, 15 fours, 35 singles and was scored from just 115 balls. She marshalled two great partnerships, one of 50 between herself and Lydia Greenway (27 off 30 balls) and the second with Ebony Rainford-Brent (15*) off 51 to put England over the 200 mark.

Despite losing the early wicket of Alex Blackwell for five, soon after the break, the Australians paced their reply perfectly targeting the bonus point which they achieved. Lisa Sthalekar saw them home with an assured 85 off 84 balls to earn her team a much-needed win and herself the Player of the Match Award.

Claire Taylor	Lisa Sthalekar

Laura Newton was England ’s most economical bowler taking 2-34 off her ten overs, but her efforts were in vain as England ’s other bowlers proved too expensive and England now find themselves at the bottom of the table going into the second round of matches.

England go into their next three games needing wins in all three to stand a chance of qualifying for the final which takes place on March 5.