A spirited West Indies women’s side claimed an eight-run victory over Australia at the ICC Women’s World Cup India 2013 today to secure itself a spot in the final of the event for the first time in its 40-year history, it is also the first time West Indies has beaten Australia in an ODI. The two teams will face-off again at the Brabourne Stadium on 17 February in a day-night fixture that will be broadcast round the globe in High Definition by the ICC’s Broadcast Partner Star Sports.
The victory by West Indies means that New Zealand and current champion England, currently playing in a day/night fixture at CCI, are not able to make the final and the two sides will meet again on 15 February to battle it out in the third-place play-off and a new global ranking.
Meanwhile in Cuttack, Dane van Niekerk starred with the bat and ball to ensure South Africa finished the Super Six stage with a 110-run win over Sri Lanka. The two sides will meet again on Friday in the fifth-place play-off which, no matter the result, will see both sides finish the tournament ranked higher than they entered the event (Sri Lanka is currently seventh, while South Africa is currently eighth in the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings). At the MIG Ground, having won the toss Merissa Aguilleira elected to bat against Australia and the side was dismissed for 164 before squeezing the Australian batting with some tight bowling to dismiss the finalists for 156 to complete a historic win. It was West Indies’ first ever win over Australia in an ODI fixture and in return Australia’s first loss of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013. West Indies batting proved to be inconsistent, at one point, the side was reeling at 7-92 in the 25th over, before all-rounder Deandra Dottin, demoted to number seven for today’s game, propped up the batting attack with a dazzling 60 runs, including ten fours and a six to help West Indies reach 164.
The Australian bowling attack once again proved disciplined, bowling good line and lengths to keep the side in check and star bowlers, Holly Ferling (3-27) and Megan Schutt (3-50) were the pick of the Southern Stars team.
Australia looked likely to secure victory, when in the 39th over it was 130-4 but all went wrong for the current ICC Women’s World Twenty champions when it lost its last six wickets for just 26 runs. Australia was in trouble early, losing stylish opener Meg Lanning, bowled by left-arm spinner Shanel Daley. Lanning’s opening partner Rachael Haynes was next out with the score at 32. Jess Cameron and Lisa Sthalekar attempted to stabalise the innings but it was up to captain and vice-captain, Jodie Fields and Alex Blackwell, to try and resurrect the innings with a 41-run partnership.
But Blackwell’s dismissal for 45 triggered a mini collapse as the side lost three wickets for one run. The lower order failed to provide the required runs, with two run-outs and thus helping the West Indies secure itself a place in the ICC Women’s World Cup final for the first time. Aguillera was elated after the win: “Words cannot express what I am feeling right now. I am completely overwhelmed. We have been through a lot as a team. Our bowlers did a fantastic job today. I felt some panic happening in their camp and I think that’s the time we started to attack them more. We realised that as long as we were bowling in correct areas, we will get wickets and that’s exactly what happened.” While all the batters generally struggled on the slow wicket, Player of the Match Dottin was the only one who was able to break the shackles and play freely. “Deandra has a natural ability to stroke the ball well. It’s a God-given talent. She is using it well, but she is not using it enough though,” admitted Aguillera.
Scores in Brief
At MIG: West Indies 164 all out, 47 overs (Dottin 60; Ferling 3-27, Schutt 3-50)
Australia 156 all out, 48.2 overs (Blackwell 45, Cameron 39; Daley 3-22). West Indies won by eight runs.
At Barabati Stadium: South Africa 227-8, 50 overs (Brits 52, Fritz 64, van Niekerk 40; Seneviratna 3-44)
Sri Lanka 117 all out, 36.4 overs (Atapattu 63; van Niekerk 4-18). South Africa won by 110 runs.
