Dabang Australia looked on to a record seventh title with confidence as they thrashed West Indies by seven wickets in a one-sided league stage contest to register their fourth successive win at the ICC Women’s World Cup here on Tuesday.
Australia, the most successful team in the history of the event, holds onto their favorite tag so far in the tournament and is much stronger than the other seven teams in the field.
The Meg Lanning-led side seemed to have covered all their bases, ending one clinical performance after another to lead the standings on eight points from four wins.
The West Indies, the runners-up team of 2013, were no match for Australia as the Caribbeans were bundled out for 131 in 45.5 overs after batting.
Captain Stephanie Taylor hit 50 off 91 balls as West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals.
Taylor held on to one end as wickets kept falling from the other. West Indies’ struggle can be gauged from the fact that their best partnership was between Taylor and wicketkeeper-batsman Sheaman Campbell (20) in the fourth wicket of 36 runs.
Ellyse Perry (3/22) and Ashleigh Gardner (3/25) shared six wickets between them for Australia, while Jess Jonassen took two for 18.
The chase was always going to be easy for the Australians. Australia chased down the chase when opener Rachel Haynes smashed an unbeaten 83 off 95 balls with the help of nine fours, when she got two opening blows in the form of Alyssa Healy and Lanning.
With Australia at seven for two and later 58 for three, Haynes found himself guiding the innings in the company of Beth Mooney (28 not out) and the duo chased down the target in 30.2 overs. .
Chinley Henry (1/20), Hayley Mathews (1/31) and Shamilia Connell (1/32) took one wicket each for the Windies.
While Australia are unbeaten in the tournament so far, West Indies suffered their second loss in four matches, suffering a heavy defeat and are fifth in the standings with four points.
short score
Australia: 132 for 3 in 30.2 overs (Rachael Haynes 83 not out, Beth Mooney 28 not out; Chinnell Henry 1/20) beat West Indies: 131 all out in 45.5 overs (Stephanie Taylor 50; Ellyse Perry 3/22, Ashley Gardner) 3/25) by seven wickets
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