Australia win Women’s T20

Australia have defeated England by six wickets with 29 balls remaining in the final of the Women’s World Twenty20 to retain their title on Sunday.

The victory recorded the defending champions’ three T20 World Cup triumphs in a row for a hat-trick.

Chasing 106 runs in the final against their familiar opponents, Australian women reached their target, losing just four wickets in the 16th over.

In their chase, Australia lost openers Elyse Villani (12) and Jess Jonassen (15) to England pacers Jenny Gunn and Anya Shrubsole respectively with 44 runs on board in the seventh over.

Aussie skipper Meg Lanning, in at three, paired up with Ellyse Perry for a brilliant 50-ball 60-run third wicket stand that brought them closer to the shore.

Lanning was sent back with her side requiring just two runs off 32 balls. She played a quick-fire innings of 44 runs off 30 balls to pave the Australian women’s path to the rare achievement of a hat-trick of the World T20 title.
She laced her innings with four boundaries and two sixes.

Perry held the other end and scored the winning run for her side. She scored an unbeaten 31 with three boundaries and a six. In 2007, the all-rounder was the youngest Australian to play senior international cricket.

Natalie Sciver bagged two wickets for England.

Sent in to bat, England posted 105 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Australian pacewoman Sarah Coyte, who was adjudged Player of the Match, sent both England openers back.

Skipper Charlotte Edwards (13) was the first one to go when she was caught at mid-on. Sarah Taylor (18) was trapped leg-before.

After that, England lost wickets at regular intervals. Heather Knight (29 off 24), in at three, top scored for England.

Coyte ended with figures of three for 16 in four overs. Perry and Rene Farrell bagged two wickets each.

England bowler Anya Shrubsole was adjudged Player of the Series. She is the highest wicket-taker of the competition with 13 wickets.

England were the runners-up in the last edition of the tournament as well. They lost to Australia by four runs in Sri Lanka, 2012.