Australia defeated England by 34 runs in the NatWest Women’s International Twenty20 played at Derby in front of a 4000-strong crowd today.
It signals an end to England’s recent successful winning streak which has seen them crowned both World Champions and Twenty20 World Cup champions.
England won the toss and elected to bowl. Leah Poulton led the way for Australia with 33 as the visitors reached 151-3. Poulton hit seven fours before being bowled by Holly Colvin. She was well supported by player of the match Shelley Nitschke who hit four boundaries in her 25 ball stay at the crease. Former captain Karen Rolton was the highest scorer of the match with 43 runs not out.
The England team began their run chase with captain Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor facing Sarah Andrews but it was Rene Farrell with the lowest bowling average keeping the home team to just 16 runs off 25 balls.
Claire Taylor replaced Sarah as she was caught by Rolton. An impressive three fours in a row got the crowd roaring in the eighth over before Edwards was caught at mid wicket by Jessica Cameron. Beth Morgan and Lydia Greenway hit a respectable 20 and 19 respectively. England finishing short with 117-6.
Starting Monday will be five NatWest Women’s one-day internationals against the same opposition at venues across the country including Chelmsford, Stratford CC, Lord’s and Wormsley CC with the two matches at Chelmsford both televised live on Sky Sports.
The four-day npower Women’s Ashes Test match which will be played at New Road, Worcester from July 10 concludes the international summer for England women.
Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
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Holly Colvin’s Twenty20 World Cup blog - part 3
Holly Colvin’s Twenty20 World Cup blog - part 1
Holly Colvin’s Twenty20 World Cup blog - part 2
