Windies end Oz unbeaten run, make maiden final
West Indies stormed into their maiden final at the Women's cricket World Cup on Wednesday, handing favourites Australia their first defeat in the tournament. MVL Manikantan reports.
West Indies stormed into their maiden final at the Women's cricket World Cup on Wednesday, handing favourites Australia their first defeat in the tournament.
Chasing a modest 165 in 50 overs, the Australian middle-order hit the panic button to be dismissed for 156 in the 49th over, eight short of the target.
The five-time champions, who were pushed to the brink on a couple of occasions earlier in the tournament, could not sustain a good start after controlling the game at 89/4 at one stage.
The Caribbeans needed a win to seal their spot in the finale, ahead of defending champions England and former winners New Zealand, who had a glimmer of hope until Australia lost. The final, a day-night fixture, will be a replay of this game at Brabourne Stadium on Sunday.
Key strikes
Shanel Daley picked three wickets including openers Meg Lanning and Rachel Haynes. The duo failed to get going on a slow wicket at the MIG cricket club as West Indies registered their first-ever ODI victory against their rivals.
Alex Blackwell top-scored with 45 and shared a 47-run partnership with Jess Cameron (35). The game turned in favour of West Indies after three wickets fell for one run.
From 130/4, the curtains were drawn on the chase after 26 runs were added on the board. However West Indies, although they affected three run-outs, frequently misfielded and a couple of catches were dropped.
Hot pace
After winning the toss and electing to bat, West Indies succumbed to Australia's pace.
Megan Schutt and Holly Ferling snared three wickets each to leave the side tottering at 59/5. Player-of-the-match Deandra Dottin offered some resistance adding 60 runs in 67 balls.
The swashbuckling right-hander hit ten fours and a towering six before she was castled by off-spinner Erin Osborne.
It was some comeback as Australia had meted out a 135-run defeat to West Indies at the same venue in a warm-up game.
Brief scores: West Indies 164 (Dottin 60; Schutt 3/50) v Australia 156 (Blackwell 45; Daley 3/22).
West Indies won by 8 runs
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