HAMILTON: England’s Nat Sciver’s unbeaten 109 went in vain as Australia sealed a thrilling victory over England by 12 runs in the third match of the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2022, here on Saturday.
While chasing 311, England could only manage to score 298/8 despite a fighting century knock of Sciver.
The former champions had an unwanted start to their run chase; losing their first wicket for none as Lauren Winfield-Hill departed after bagging a four-ball duck.
Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight then anchored the run chase with a valiant 92-runs partnership for the second wicket before Knight walked back to the pavilion after scoring 40. The skipper faced 51 balls and smashed four boundaries including a six.
Beaumont, on the other hand, stood firm and recorded another brilliant partnership. The right-handed batter put on a brilliant 57 runs partnership for the third wicket with Sciver.
The pair appeared firm as it accelerated the innings according to the required run rate before Beaumont perished after scoring a terrific knock of 74 runs off 82 balls, laced with seven boundaries.
Her departure triggered a collapse in the English batting line-up and the side remained unable to recover from it and as a result, restricted to 298/9 in the allotted 50 overs.
Sciver remained the lone warrior for England as the right-handed batter scored a magnificent unbeaten 109 off 85 balls; smashing 13 boundaries. But, her heroics too could not guide the side to the victory.
For Australia, Alana King bagged three wickets, while Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, and Jess Jonassen claimed two each. Megan Schutt, on the other hand, struck out a batter.
Batting first, Australia finished at a commendable 310/3 in their allotted overs at the back of Rachel Haynes’s exceptional century.
The left-handed batter led the way for his side; scoring a tremendous 130 off 131 deliveries, laced with 14 boundaries and a six. The Australian skipper Meg Lanning, on the other hand, followed back with her outstanding 86 off 110 balls including seven boundaries and a six.
The rest of the Australian batters also contributed significantly to take their side to a commendable 310-3 in the allotted 50 overs.
For England, Sciver claimed two wickets, while Katherine Brunt managed to pick one.
In another match of the ongoing Women’s World Cup, South Africa thumped Bangladesh by 32 runs.
Batting first, South Africa managed to post 207 runs before being bowled out in the final over.
Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, and Chloe Tyron played contributing knocks to take their side over the 200 runs mark. Kapp top-scored with 42, while Wolvaardt and Tyron followed back with 41 and 39 respectively.
For Bangladesh, Fariha Trisna took three wickets, while Jahanara Alam and Ritu Moni picked two each. Salma Khatun and Rumana Ahmed, on the other hand, struck out a batter each.
Set to chase 208, Bangladesh’s batting line-up failed completely and could only manage to score 175 before being bowled out in the last over.
Despite starting off strongly as the openers Shamima Sultana Sharmin Akhter provided a solid 69-runs opening stand, the side faltered in the run chase and bowled out at 175.
The skipper and middle-order batter Nigar Sultana also resisted a bit; scoring a gritty 29 while her heroics too remained insufficient in driving her side to the victory. Akhter, however, remained the top scorer for the side with 34.
Ayabonga Khaka led the way for the Proteas; taking four wickets, while Masabata Klaas picked two. Shabnim Ismail and Kapp, on the other hand, struck out a batter each.
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