da fezbet： Australia booked their place in the final after shooting England out for 158 at Sedgar’s Park
The Bulletin by Jenny Thompson05-Apr-2005
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Clare Connor on her way to a top-score of 35© Getty Images
An authoritative 62 from Belinda Clark eased Australia into the finals of the Women’s World Cup, as they completed a straightforward five-wicket victory against their arch-rivals England at Sedgar’s Park. At Centurion on Sunday they will either face India, in a repeat of the last men’s final, or New Zealand, in a repeat of the last women’s final.Either way, you would not bet against them retaining their title after this assured victory, inspired by the indomitable Clark, who won the toss and chose to bowl first, then wrapped up the match with the day’s highest score. The early damage was done by Cathryn Fitzpatrick’s triple strike, which left England’s top order in tatters at 21 for 3 and put paid to any hopes of a decent total. They went on to make 158, which a dominant Australia – who are still undefeated – had no difficulty knocking off.Arran Brindle and Clare Connor lifted England from their early nadir, but Connor’s dismissal precipitated another mini-collapse and England were in serious trouble at 106 for 8. Clare Taylor weaved some magic in the closing overs, hitting 29 – her highest one-day total – but Australia were not too stretched chasing three an over.The fearsome Fitzpatrick was immediately on the button, knocking over Laura Newton’s stumps with one which jagged back, and she added the in-form ClaireTaylor soon after, for a duck, inducing the edge through to a diving Julia Price, who threw herself to the right to pluck a fantastic catch.Charlotte Edwards was next to go. She had rattled up 13 from 23 balls and was looking settled until she, too, edged one which nipped back and held its line. England had much work to do: Connor (35) and Brindle (32) answered the call, rebuilding the innings, Connor hitting her highest total against Australia in 18 matches.But when they were both shot out, followed by Jenny Gunn and Nicki Shaw, England were back on the slide: they had lost four wickets for 14 runs (106 for 8). Taylor and Isa Guha (13) stabilised the innings later on butAustralia bowled with penetration and deserved their wickets.And their batsmen stood firm, Clark sharing two stands of 45 for the second and third wicket to set up the victory: Karen Rolton (14) and Mel Jones (15) proved more than worthy sidekicks as they strode to an inevitable victory. England’s attack lacked pace, venom and the injured Lucy Pearson. Theirfielding, as always, was something to behold, and Brindle pulled off two fine run-outs, but that alone was never going to be enough to derail the Australian juggernaut.How they were outEngland
Chopped inswinger on to her off-stumps.
Keeper dived wide to right for stunning one-handed catch.
Held its line to find finest of edges.
Aiming through midwicket, trapped plumb in front.
Came down the track and missed the ball completely for an easy stumping.
Ball turned slightly to hit leg-stump.
Edged through to keeper who took another impressive catch.
Missed the ball completely.
Attempted to hoick a straight bowl over midwicket.
Gave herself plenty of room, missed, and the ball went on to hit leg stump.Australia
Push to cover-point, caught two feet short by direct hit
Direct hit from point – out by a mile
Swung and missed at a straight one
Stopped on shot and spooned back
Direct hit from fine-leg boundary