Women’s World T20

CRICKET – Women’s World T20

The Australia Women’s cricket team – the Southern Stars – has progressed to their fourth consecutive World T20 final, after narrowly defeating the England Women’s team by five runs.

The Southern Stars celebrate their win over England in the 2016 ICC Women’s World T20 semi-final

 

After losing the toss and having her side sent in, Stars skipper Meg Lanning again proved why she is the top-ranked batsman in T20 cricket, notching up her second half-century of the tournament, which was the backbone of the Australian innings. Openers Alyssa Healy and Elyse Villani raced to 41 in five overs before both were dismissed in consecutive overs. Lanning then added 36 runs with all-rounder Ellyse Perry and 37 runs with Alex Blackwell before being superbly run out by Anya Shrubsole in the final over for a well-compiled 55 from just 50 deliveries. With each of the top five reaching double figures, Australia finished at 6/132 – a challenging score, but not out of reach for their opponents.

Stars skipper Meg Lanning scored 55 from just 50 deliveries to help her side reach 6/132

 

England’s openers fared even better than their counterparts, reaching 67 inside ten overs before their skipper and best batsman, Charlotte Edwards, was dismissed by leg-spinner Kristen Beams, caught by Lanning for 31. Lanning was in the game again just a few overs later, taking another good catch to get rid of the other opener Tammy Beaumont for 32. At 2/89, England only needed 44 runs from 38 deliveries, and were still well in control. Unfortunately for them, their misfiring middle order failed yet again and they lost a wicket almost every over for the next five overs, leaving them at 7/117 with nine balls remaining. The Australian bowlers kept their cool, with Rene Farrell conceding just seven runs from the final over, giving the Stars a nail-biting five-run victory.

England’s middle-order self-imploded, with four wickets falling for just 14 runs, giving Australia a narrow five-run win

 

Meg Lanning was named player of the match, and she will lead her side for the second consecutive time in a World T20 final, against either New Zealand or the West Indies on Sunday.

Meg Lanning also took two vital catches on her way to being named player-of-the-match