Bairnsdale’s Sophie Molineux is a world champion after she was part of Australia’s convincing eight-wicket win over England in the Women’s World T20 Cup final yesterday.
The Southern Stars chased down the 106 runs they needed to claim their fourth World T20 title with 4.5 overs to spare after a brilliant team bowling display.
England opener Danielle Wyatt gave her team a solid start with a tournament-best 43, but after she departed England lost 7-41 to be bowled out in the final over.
Wyatt immediately went on the attack, striking a four then a six from left-arm spinner Molineux in the opening over of the match, which went for 12 runs.
Molinuex responded in her next two overs, which went for a combined 11 runs, producing two run out chances that were narrowly missed.
Wyatt was lucky in the second over when Rachael Haynes couldn’t hold on to what would have been an absolute screamer at point, and she was given another life the following over when wicketkeeper, Alyssa Healy, missed an edge off the bowling of Ellyse Perry.
There was no fumble from Elyse Villani in the fourth, safely holding a chance at mid off to send Tammy Beaumont on her way for four, before teenage leg-spinner, Georgia Wareham, produced a stunning direct-hit run out to dismiss the inform Amy Jones for four.
An unsuccessful lbw review from Natalie Sciver saw Perry claim her 100th T20I wicket, becoming the first Australian and just the second player to achieve the feat, and crucially sent the dangerous allrounder on her way for one.
England captain, Heather Knight, had been steady while wickets fell at the other end and looked to break the shackles when she struck a maximum in the 18th over, but fell a ball later attempting a similar result for 25.
Ash Gardner (3/22) finished as Australia’s leading wicket-taker, while Wareham (2/11) was superb in her three-over spell.
Set 106 for victory, Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney got the Southern Stars off to a solid start before the former was bowled by Anya Shrubsole for 22. Mooney departed a short while later for 14 after being caught by Amy Jones off the bowling of Danielle Hazell.
Gardner (33 not out) and Meg Lanning (28 not out) then guided Australia to victory with a 62-run partnership.
Molineux also played a key role in Australia’s 71-run semi final win over the West Indies last Friday.
Molinuex claimed economical figures of 1/14 off three overs with her left arm orthodox.
The Windies won the toss and elected to bowl first at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, claiming their first wicket early when Shakera Selman got the better of Beth Mooney (6).
Lanning and Healy combined for 51-run stand as the West Indies struggled to reduce their explosive power with the bat.
Healy eventually fell for a 38-ball 46 at the hands of Afy Fletcher.
Tight bowling and good fielding from the Windies made scoring difficult but Australia counter attacked through some superb batting by Lanning.
Lanning fell for 31 off 39 balls. The Southern Stars posted 5/142 at the end of their innings.
With the ball the Southern Stars got off to a flying start with Megan Schutt and Molineux opening the bowling.
Healy ran out Hayley Matthews in the second over for Australia’s first wicket.
Molineux soon had a wicket of her own when Windies captain, Stafanie Taylor, was caught for 16.
From there the Australians continued to ramp up the pressure and bowled out the West Indies in the 18th over for 71.
