Australia suffered its first defeat in ICC women’s World Cup 2013, laid low by West Indies in the final Super Six match for both teams.
With no anxiety of booking a place in the final, Australia struggled to chase 164 on a turning track at the MIG ground, falling short by eight runs, with three run-outs spoiling the party. West Indies qualified for its first World Cup final and will meet Australia on Sunday (Feb. 17). At one stage, it looked unlikely the Caribbeans would make the final as the Aussies were coasting at 130 for five and just 35 away from an expected outcome. But the West Indies bowlers stepped up to deliver body blows.
Shaney Daley (three for 22) and Stafanie Taylor (two for 26) made the difference, using the wicket where the ball turned and hurried through. Jess Cameron (39 off 60 balls) and Alexandra Blackwell (45 off 83 balls) settled down after a cautious start, when the momentum shifted.
Spate of run-outs
Lisa Sthalekar, Julie Hunter and Megan Shutt were run-out. Three wickets for one run disrupted the chase. Stafanie deceived Alexandra and Aussie skipper Jodie Fields holed out to mid-off off Tremayne Smartt.
Two run-outs in the lower order — Julie Hunter and Megan Schutt — dived to regain the crease in vain as Australia slipped from 130 for five to 156 for nine.
Erin Osborne’s attempted scoop over her shoulder ended in wicketkeeper Merissa’s gloves as the chase came to an end in 48.3 overs.
Earlier, the West Indies wickets fell in a heap, forcing the dazed squad to look up to the dependable Deandra Dottin to bail the team out. Deandra, named ‘player-of-the-match’ picked her spot to hit boundaries; her first six was a slog across the line over mid-wicket. Australia had a fielder in place on the fence, but could only watch the ball loop over her.
She fell giving the charge in the first over of Power Play, just when the Aussies were apprehensive of the blast from her blade.
The scores: West Indies 164 in 47 overs (Deandra Dottin 60, Natasha McLean 26, Megan Schutt three for 50, Holly Ferling three for 27) bt Australia 156 in 48.3 overs (Jessica Cameron 39, Alexandra Blackwell 45, Shanel Daley three for 22).
