A heroic innings from Claire Taylor saw England scrape into the World Twenty20 final after their biggest ever run chase at the Oval on Friday.England passed Australia’s huge 164 total in the final over after Taylor (78no) shared an unbeaten partnership of 122 with under-pressure Beth Morgan (46no).
England captain Charlotte Edwards admitted she was worried about chasing such a big total but rubbished those critics that questioned England’s middle-order.
She said: “According to some of the press we have a fragile middle-order so I think New Zealand will be slightly worried after seeing that - Beth has proved a few people wrong today.”
“Our bowling performance was far from perfect and I did think it might be too much to chase. But after batting a bit on that pitch we realised how good it was and I always had confidence that Beth and Claire could get the runs.”
England went for a risky team selection, omitting seam bowler Isa Guha, the No. 5 ranked bowler in the world, in favour of speed merchant Katherine Brunt.
The plan didn’t come off as Aussie openers Shelley Nitschke and Leah Poulton came out all guns blazing. The pair took the game to Brunt, who went for 30 runs in 18 balls as the Aussies reached 78 from nine overs. The game was getting away from England who desperately needed a response.
Nitschke had thundered 37 runs off 24 balls so the relief was palpable when Holly Colvin had her caught behind trying to cut the spinner through the off side.
Poulton was bowled next ball for 39, trying to walk down the pitch to England’s best bowler on the day, Laura Marsh.
England sensed more wickets but Lisa Sthalekar and captain Karen Rolton smashed 60 off the next seven overs, with Rolton clubbing Jenny Gunn over mid-wicket for one monstrous six.
Only Marsh proved a match for the Aussie’s, conceding just 12 runs from her four overs, while the rest of England’s attack lacked control.
Sthalekar (28) and Rolton (38) eventually fell but the damage was done and the Aussie’s posted an impressive total of 163.
Edwards and Sarah Taylor knew they couldn’t hang around. The pair got off to a swift start but then in the third over Rene Farrell had Taylor caught for six.
Claire Taylor joined Edwards in the middle but some miserly bowling from Nitschke kept the pair in check. Four overs passed with only one boundary until Edwards (25) was given out taking a swipe at Ellyse Perry’s bouncer. The ball seemed to go past the edge but the umpire approved the Aussie appeals after Jodie Fields took the catch.
England were on the ropes at 43-2 but Taylor and Morgan steadied the ship and managed to keep the score ticking over nicely.
The hundred was up after 12 overs and Morgan survived a vicious blow to the head, surprised by a steep bounce as she tried to sweep Farrell.
There was still work to be done with 16 needed off the final two overs, but the pair stayed cool and Taylor’s fierce square drive boundary booked England’s place against New Zealand at Lords on Sunday.
Claire Taylor said: “We were a little bit daunted by their total. It was the biggest target we have chased in T20. But the wicket was good and Beth and I did lots of good talking and running. We are looking forward to the final. It was great to play in front of so many people.”
Lawrence Dunhill, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
