BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Australia beat title-holders in a dramatic finish to their opening game of the Women’s World Twenty20 Championship at Warner Park here yesterday.
After scores at the end both 20-over innings were tied at 104, officials resorted to the super-over but that too finished tied as both teams scored six runs.
Australia were awarded the crucial win on virtue of having hit more sixes during their regular innings.
It was a bizarre end to a low-scoring contest which saw England dismissed for 104 from 17.3 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
Opener Sarah Taylor top scored with 46 from 44 balls with seven fours but failed to get support. She shared 44 for the third wicket with Beth Morgan (17) after England had slipped to 19 for two in the fifth over, but the rest of the batting collapsed meekly.
Off-spinner Lisa Sthalekar was Australia’s best bowler with three for 29.
When the Aussies batted, they were well poised at 44 for two at one stage but suffered a batting collapse which saw them lose their last eight wickets 60 runs.
Leah Poulton was their best batsman with 23 from 27 balls as Nicola Shaw (2-10), Danielle Hazell (2-20), Katherine Brunt (2-21) and Holly Colvin (2-22) all finished with two wickets apiece.
