Published: Jun 20, 2017, 11:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 21, 2017, 10:55 AM (IST)
Australia Women defended their champions’ tag, winning comfortably by 103 runs in the warm-up game of ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 against South Africa Women at Oakham. Elyse Villani’s century, followed by Jess Jonassen’s three-wicket haul, kept Australia on top. Belinda Vakrewa halted South Africa’s progress in the middle with her figures of 2 for 34. On the other hand, South Africa’s Trisha Chetty and Dane van Niekerk’s fifties went in vain. Ayabonga Khaka aced with the ball. She ended with figures of 2 for 47, while Marizanne Kapp and Masabata Klaas got a wicket. Full Cricket Updates: ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 warm-ups
Australia continued their form defending the total and sent back opener Lizelle Lee for nought. Trisha was promoted to No. 3. She tried to add steadiness to the innings, but pacer Jess trapped Andrie Steyn for 12 and momentum shifted. Trisha and Chloe changed the fortunes for South Africa when they kept the scoreboard ticking with their 58-run stand. Change of bowling worked the trick for Australia when Chloe was bowled by Sarah Aley. Trisha was battling alone losing partners at the other end.
Ellyse had a great outing with the ball as well bagged the wicket of Marizanne. With Trisha and Dane, South Africa had the hopes of sailing to the finish line. Trisha even got to her fifty off 70 deliveries. However, their 38-run stand was broken when Rachael Haynes got a crucial catch of Trisha for 62. South Africa were lingering at 139 for 5 with 186 required to win. Dane and Sune’s 30-run stand also went in vain as Australia continued their dominance.
Belinda got successive wickets and kept South Africa on toes. Jess also joined the party and bundled out South Africa with 3 balls to spare.
Australia openers were off to blistering start with Beth Mooney and Nicole Bolton added 35 runs for the opening stand. Ayabonga was on a wicket-taking spree as she grabbed the second one in succession of skipper Meg Lanning. Australia were tottering at 40 for 3 when Masabata removed Nicole for 14. After, it was Ellyse and Elyse’s show. They put up 167-run stand that comprised of 21 boundaries. When Elyse was playing on 93, she lost her partner Ellyse for 67 due to a mix-up. Australia had put up 207 on board then.
Nothing stopped Elyse who smashed a four to get to her century off 94 deliveries. Elyse then went on to add 37 runs along with Alex Blackwell who was comfortable playing the second fiddle. Elyse’s 137 knock included 13 fours and 7 sixes when Marizanne Kapp dismissed her. Alysa Healy and Alex’s unbeaten 54-stand took Australia to 324.
