Mumbai, Feb 18: Australia clinched their sixth Women's World Cup title after they comfortably defeated the West Indies by a huge margin of 114 runs in the final at the Brabourne Stadium here today.
Needing 260 to win, the Caribbeans were bundled out for 145 runs in 43.1 overs, miserably failing to recover from Elysse Perry's early three-wicket burst.
Batting first, Australia rode on Jessica Cameron's quick-fire 75 and a half-century by Rachael Haynes to post a challenging 259 for seven. Cameron's almost run-a-ball knock, which was studded with eight fours and two sixes, coupled with some lacklustre fielding by the Windies, allowed the five-time champions to record the highest ever total in a Women's World Cup final.
The previous best was 215 for four by the same side in 2005 against India. Australian pace spearhead Perry, who was back in the side after suffering an ankle injury, ripped through the West Indies top-order and had them reeling at 41 for three.
The pacer struggled to get her run up right twice for her first delivery but drew first blood when she trapped Kycia Knight leg before in the last ball of her first over.
She then struck in her second and third over to get rid off Stafanie Taylor and opener Natasha Mclean. Perry, who thought she had dismissed Taylor in the first ball of her second over when the ball just bounced before carrying to first slip fielder Meghann Lanning, struck three balls later.
Perry's figures after her first three overs read 3-2-2-3, and her devastating first spell ended with three wickets for eight runs in six overs. She was introduced two overs later when Deandra Dottin, known for her hitting prowess, was batting after Kyshona Knight retired hurt.
Offie Lisa Sthalekar castled captain Merissa Aguilleira (23) to break the fourth wicket partnership of 47 runs.
Aguilleira had hit two fours and a six in her brief knock. Dottin, who hit a four a two sixes in her 28-ball 22, was also bowled by the all-rounder.
After being reduced to 109 for five, things nosedived for the West Indies as they soon found themselves reeling at 114 for eight. Anisa Mohammed tried hard to fight back and shared a 27-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
Megan Schutt, who was the joint wicket taker earlier, became the bowler with most dismissals in the tournament with 15 wickets, after picking up two today.
Australia took home a prize money of USD 75,000 along with the distinction of being the top ranked team in the world, while runners up West Indies received USD 30,000.
Electing to bat, openers Meghann Lanning and Haynes provided a good start to Australia, putting on a 52-run stand, with the former being more aggressive of the two, striking six fours during her 31 off 41 balls. The right-hander perished at mid-off in the last ball of the 10th over.
Left-hander Haynes, who later forged a 64-run stand with Cameron, notched up 52 off 74 balls. Her 88-minute knock fetched her six boundaries.
The Caribbeans, who were otherwise sloppy on the field, managed to hold onto the catches at least. After sending back Haynes, the West Indies were quick to take the wicket of Alexandra Blackwell (3), who was playing her 100th ODI.
Australia, however, did not let West Indies take an upper hand as Cameron and Lisa Sthalekar consolidated the innings with a 55-run stand for the fourth wicket. Just as it seemed that the two were set for a long haul, Cameron was dismissed.
Australia, who had been cruising along, had a few hiccups as West Indies struck twice to dismiss Sthalekar and Sarah Coyte (7) to reduce them to 190 for six.
The Aussies couldn't utilise the power play overs, scoring only 15 runs, while losing three wickets. A late attack from Jodie Fields (36) and Perry (25) helped the side to reach a challenging total.
For the West Indies, Shaquana Quintyne was the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 27.
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