On Saturday, in the second match of the doubleheader of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, England were chasing a mammoth score of 311 in 50 overs against Australia at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
England did not get off to the best of starts as they lost their opening batter Lauren Winfield-Hill cheaply for a duck as she was brilliantly caught by Annabel Sutherland at mid-on off Megan Schutt’s bowling. With 0-1 in 0.4 overs on board, England’s captain Heather Knight walked out to bat. Knight (40 runs off 51 balls) joined hands with Tammy Beaumont to stitch a 92-run partnership for the second wicket. After the departure of the skipper, Natalie Sciver and Beaumont (74 runs off 82 balls) carried the innings forward and put together 57 runs. Sciver top scored with an unbeaten 109 off 85 balls, however she could not see her side home. Towards the end, Katherine Brunt (25 runs off 21 balls) and Sophia Dunkley (28 runs off 32 balls) too made some useful contributions with the bat but it was too late in the day. England were restricted to 298-8 in 50 overs losing the match by 12 runs.
Spin to Win!
How good was Alana King today? #CWC22 #AlanaKing #TeamAustralia pic.twitter.com/Qb27f42lF4
— Female Cricket #CWC22 (@imfemalecricket) March 5, 2022
For Australia, leg spinner Alana King was the pick of the bowlers as she picked up 3-59 in her 10 overs. Jess Jonassen and Tahlia McGrath chipped in with two wickets apiece. Megan Schutt, who opened the bowling accounted for one scalp. The pace trio of Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland and Darcie Brown went wicketless. The Australian bowling did a good job as they restricted England to 298-8 in 50 overs and defended the score of 310.
Let’s take a moment and appreciate Natalie Sciver 😢☹️
She kept fighting till the end with regular boundaries and kept the chase alive till the end. #CWC22 📸Disney+Hotstar pic.twitter.com/LpnOlxJ6aX
— Female Cricket #CWC22 (@imfemalecricket) March 5, 2022
Australia’s Rachael Haynes won the player of the match for her match winning batting performance of 130 runs off 131 balls.
Australia and England will play their next fixtures on March 8 against Pakistan and on March 9 against West Indies respectively.
Mighty Australia have defeated current World Champions by 12 Runs in a thrilling encounter.
🇦🇺Australia: 310/3
Rachael Haynes: 130 (131)
Meg Lanning: 86 (110)
Nat Sciver: 2/68 (10)🏴England: 298/8
Nat Sciver: 109* (85)
Tammy Beaumont: 74 (82)
Alana King: 3/59 (10)#CWC22 pic.twitter.com/4yDq3Bc3Xw— Female Cricket #CWC22 (@imfemalecricket) March 5, 2022
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