West Indies women reach ICC World Cup final

Mumbai, Feb 13 (IANS) The West Indies entered the final of the International Cricket COuncil (ICC) Women’s World Cup after beating Australia by eight runs in their last Super Six match at the Middle Income Group Ground (MIG) Stadium here Wednesday.

The two teams will again face each other in Sunday’s final.

On Wednesday, the West Indies produced a Herculean effort in their last Super Six, second round game to beat the Australia women by eight runs.

Opting to bat, the West Indies slumped to 164 all out off 47 overs, and were only held together by Deandra Dottin’s top score of 60 from 67 balls.

The West Indies got off to a slow start and were into the fifth over when Megan Schutt (3-50) first struck. She claimed the wicket of opener Juliana Nero (1), who was caught behind by captain Jodie Fields.

Schutt proved why she is one of the leading wicket-takers of the tournament, as she made light work of Shemaine Campbelle (0) and Shanel Daley (4).

Seventeen-year-old Holly Ferling (3-27) continued her impressive form this tournament, claiming the key wickets of Natasha McLean (26), Stafanie Taylor (5) and Kyshona Knight (8)

In reply, Australia lost early wickets to be dismissed for 156 off 48.2 overs, with Alex Blackwell top scoring with 45. Left-arm spinner Shanel Daley snared three for 22 to engineer the Windies victory.

Opener Rachael Haynes (21) was looking comfortable at the crease and was having no trouble finding the boundary as she hit four fours, before being caught out off the bowling of Shanel Daley (3-22) in the 12th over. Jess Cameron (39) added some vital runs early on as she built a 47-run partnership with Alex Blackwell (45) until she was bowled by Shaquana Quintyne (1-29).

Blackwell was given out lbw off the bowling of Taylor (2-26) but finished as Australia’s top scorer for the match. Osborne (19) battled hard at the crease to get the remaining runs required for victory but the Australian side fell just short, finishing all out for 156 in the 49th over.

IANS 2013-02-13 19:16:03