Spinners combine again in Australian victory

Australia secured its place in the Super Six stages of the ICC Women’s World Cup after a 47-run win over the West Indies, although it was made to work hard for its victory.

Lisa Sthalekar and Erin Osborne once again bowled well, backed up by an excellent all-round performance by Ellyse Perry, but some brave resistance with both bat and ball by the West Indies added to its growing reputation at this event.

Australia again found it tough-going early on, losing the early wickets of Leah Poulton and Lisa Sthalekar, before Shelley Nitschke (45) and Jodie Fields (42) added some stability to the score line.

The loss of Lauren Ebsary and Jodie Fields, in the space of six balls, reduced Australia to 124-5, which got even worse when Karen Rolton (2) fell shortly afterwards.

But some late-order hitting from Alex Blackwell (46 not out) and Ellyse Perry (36) added some respectability to the total, with young off-spinner Stafanie Taylor once again the pick of the West Indian attack with 2-35.

Stafanie Taylor (32) made a bright start to the West Indies innings, although her dismissal left the West Indies struggling on 49-3.

It was the spin attack of Lisa Sthalekar and Erin Osborne who were again the pick of the Australian attack and when they accounted for Stacy-Ann King and Cordel Jack, to make it 85-5, it looked like the game was over.

But once again the West Indies showed some great character and determination as a 56-run stand between Deandra Dottin (51) and Debbie-Ann Lewis gave it hope, with Dottin in particularly destructive form as she smashed four sixes, but in the end it simply ran out of overs as it closed on 164-7.

Australia now faces India in the first of the Super Six matches on Saturday, while the West Indies take on Pakistan. 

ICC Women's World Cup 2009 - News  Thursday, March 12, 2009 2:45:22 AM